Humanities Division News and Events
UC Santa Cruz establishes new Center for the Middle East and North Africa
December 5, 2019
A new interdisciplinary Center for the Middle East and North Africa, directed by associate professor of history Jennifer Derr, will focus on the culture, history, and politics of the region.
Nine UCSC speakers join TEDx Santa Cruz extravaganza Dec. 7
December 2, 2019
Nine UCSC affiliates will join novelist Jonathan Franzen and a host of other speakers for TEDx Santa Cruz, a daylong extravaganza focused this year on the "Art of Hope," on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Exploring the impact and ethics of the Frankenstein phenomena
November 7, 2019
UCSC will present "The Frankenstein Project," a modern theatrical adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic Frankenstein story, plus "FrankenCon"-- a three-day conference featuring scientists, theorists, authors, and artists, plus film screenings.
Award-winning poet Gary Soto to read at 10th annual Morton Marcus memorial event
November 1, 2019
Award-winning poet and novelist Gary Soto will be the featured guest at the 10th annual Morton Marcus Poetry Reading, Thursday, November 7, at 7 p.m. in the UCSC Music Recital Hall.
Campus conference to honor renowned late UC Santa Cruz historian Hayden White
October 24, 2019
UCSC will present a conference in honor of the influential late historian on November 1-2 at the Merrill Cultural Center. Scholars from a wide range of disciplines will participate in an effort to channel the vital, open-ended, iconoclastic spirit of White, professor emeritus in the History of Consciousness Department.
'A Conversation about Oliver Sacks' to feature alumnus Lawrence Weschler and Radiolab’s Robert Krulwich
October 16, 2019
Celebrated writer and UC Santa Cruz alumnus Lawrence Weschler will join Radiolab’s Robert Krulwich for a public conversation about the late neurologist and acclaimed author Oliver Sacks on October 21, at 7 p.m. in the Music Center Recital Hall.
Litquake Santa Cruz to offer 'Funny & Peculiar: Santa Cruz Writers on Keeping It Weird'
October 11, 2019
In honor of its 20th anniversary, "Litquake," San Francisco’s annual literary festival, has created 20 new events in 20 cities across the country outside of San Francisco. One of those events will take place at Bookshop Santa Cruz on October 15, co-presented by The Humanities Institute at UC Santa Cruz.
What we learn from talking to strangers
September 24, 2019
Journalist and bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell addressed a crowd of 1,500 people in Silicon Valley on Saturday. Gladwell honed in on the question of how human beings, even those who we think of as intelligent and highly trained, can be so easily deceived.
UC Santa Cruz announces lineup for Fall 2019 Living Writers Series
September 23, 2019
"Autobiography, Fairy Tales, The Future" is the name of this fall’s installment of the Living Writers Series at UC Santa Cruz. Curated by Micah Perks, professor of literature and co-director of the Creative Writing Program, the series runs through December 5 at the Humanities Lecture Hall.
Tales of brutality and survival
September 23, 2019
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead enthralled a Santa Cruz crowd with stories from Nickel Boys, his new bestselling novel based on the horrifying true story of a notorious reform school in the Florida Panhandle.
Celebrated author and master storyteller Malcolm Gladwell to discuss ‘Talking to Strangers’
September 6, 2019
Why does a routine traffic stop end in tragedy? How can a spy spend years hidden at the highest levels of the Pentagon? Why is it so hard to detect a lie or judge a stranger's motives? On Sept. 21, The Humanities Institute and Bookshop Santa Cruz, will present “An Evening with Malcolm Gladwell” at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead to read from his new novel
August 29, 2019
Colson Whitehead became a literary phenomenon after the publication of "The Underground Railroad" in 2016, a work of speculative fiction about a young woman who escapes a life of slavery on a Georgia plantation and heads north on a subterranean train...
UC Santa Cruz celebrates 50 amazing years
March 18, 2015
UCSC to offer new B.A. degree in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
June 06, 2014
Beginning this fall, students at UC Santa Cruz can now declare a major in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies (CRES), leading to a new bachelor of arts degree.
Associate Professor Ochoa Publishes New Book
May 28, 2014
UCSC Feminist Studies Associate Professor, Marcia Ochoa, has publishes a new book entitled "Queen for a Day: Transformistas, Beauty Queens, and the Performance of Femininity in Venezuela". Please join the Feminist Studies Department in a conversation and book party on Wednesday, June 3rd, 5-7pm in Humanities 1, Room 210.
Humanities Division Hosts Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Speaker Series
November 1, 2012
Sunaina Maira, Professor of Asian American Studies at UC Davis, will give a lecture on Tuesday, November 13 at 4:00 p.m. in the Humanities 1 building, Room 210.
Uncommon People / Gail Hershatter: Bringing women's stories to light
October 15, 2012
Gail Hershatter built a career by talking to people left out of history.
UCSC History professor Dana Frank provides an op ed article for the L.A. Times
August 24, 2012
UCSC History professor Dana Frank provides an op ed article for the L.A. Times concerning the State Department and human rights in Honduras.
UC Presidential Chair in Feminist Critical Race and Ethnic Studies
July 01, 2012
Bettina Aptheker and Karen Yamashita received a highly prestigious University of California Presidential Chair in Feminist Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. Professors Aptheker and Yamashita will co-hold the Chair for a three-year period beginning July 1, 2012 and ending in June 30, 2015.
Gary Young has been named 2012 Artist of the Year
March 21, 2012
Gary Young has been named 2012 Artist of the Year by the Santa Cruz County Arts Commission.
Dr. Karan Singh to deliver Satyajit Ray Lecture at UCSC
September 8, 2011
Distinguished Indian statesman and diplomat Dr. Karan Singh will deliver the 2011 Satyajit Ray Lecture at UC Santa Cruz on Saturday, September 24, at 5:30 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall.
William A. Ladusaw Appointed Humanities Dean
July 14, 2011
William A. Ladusaw, professor of linguistics, has accepted an appointment as dean of the Division of Humanities.
Right-Wing Populism and the Crisis of Organized Labor
April 19, 2011
“Right-Wing Populism and the Crisis of Organized Labor” The Center for Labor Studies presents a lecture with Bill Fletcher, Jr. Right-wing populism is a phenomenon deeply rooted in the US system. It tends to emerge in a virulent form during times of economic distress and crisis. It plays upon fears and prejudices and is integrally connected to matters of race. Bill Fletcher, Jr. will address the importance of understanding right-wing populism and the role that a renewed labor movement can play in combating this irrationalist and divisive force.
Rethinking Capitalism conference
April 1, 2011
The second annual Rethinking Capitalism conference, April 7-9 at UC Santa Cruz, will investigate the economic and social systems that help prop up and preserve capitalism in the aftermath of the crisis of 2008. The conference is free and open to the public.
History grad teaches English and blogs from China
December 21, 2010
Get updates about our History alum, Matt Palm, and his adventures in China!
New Faculty Publication: Eric Porter "The Problem of the Future World"
December 8, 2010
Professor and Chair of American Studies, Eric Porter, has a new book out.
Bill Ladusaw and Jim McCloskey elected fellows of Linguistic Society of America
October 19, 2010
Two of our professors from Linguistics have been elected as fellows the Linguistics Society of America.
Karen Yamashita Named National Book Award Finalist for I Hotel
October 19, 2010
Literature Professor Karen Yamashita has been named a finalist in the 2010 National Book Awards for her novel, I Hotel.
UC Santa Cruz doctoral programs earn high marks in national review
September 29, 2010
Two Humanities doctoral programs have been identified as distinctions among research activity-based doctoral programs.
New Publications from Humanities Faculty
September 3, 2010
Check out the latest publications from some of our outstanding faculty
UC Santa Cruz professor one of top academic experts on Honduras
September 1, 2010
Dana Frank, Professor of History, has become one of the top academic experts on Honduras. Read why...
Professors to present New Orleans lecture on anniversary of Katrina
August 20, 2010
American Studies Professor Eric Porter will deliver a lecture on the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in San Francisco
UC Santa Cruz approves new major in Jewish Studies
June 24, 2010
Dean's & Chancellor Award Recipients Announced for Humanities Division
May 14, 2010
Recipients of the Dean's and Chancellor's Award for 2009-10 have been announced
Tanya Honig wins Outstanding Staff award
April 30, 2010
Message from the Dean - Budget Update April 2010
April 22, 2010
Read about the latest installment of budget reduction the Humanities Division faces in 2010-11
Literature professor Nathaniel Mackey receives Guggenheim for poetry
April 21, 2010
Literature professor Nathaniel Mackey has been awarded a 2010 Guggenheim Fellowship for poetry.
Sandra Chung elected vice president of Linguistic Society of America
February 17, 2010
UCSC professor of linguistics Sandra Chung has been elected as vice president and president-elect of the Linguistic Society of America (LSA)
UC Santa Cruz lecturer named first Poet Laureate of Santa Cruz County
January 27, 2010
UC Santa Cruz humanities lecturer Gary Young has been named the first-ever Poet Laureate of Santa Cruz County.
