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Dean's Message

Dear Friends of the Humanities,
As the holiday season approaches, it is a time for us to pause and reflect, and a time to look forward and anticipate the new year. It is also a time to focus on gratitude.
In 2021, UCI Humanities remained committed to its mission to illuminate the human experience—inside and beyond the classroom—and to provide an invaluable humanities education. Thanks to efforts both university and statewide, students returned to campus this fall to fill our lecture halls and learning spaces with the renewed buzz of critical discussion, scholarly communication and compassionate camaraderie. Simultaneously, we launched an outdoor museum, "Humanities: It's Time," to engage students and campus visitors in pivotal historic moments chosen by our faculty scholars. We sought to bring to light what the humanities do best: enable us to bravely face what it is to be human across time. Only by confronting and critically interpreting our legacies can we guide ourselves to brighter futures.
I am truly heartened by how we've come together (both virtually and in-person) to create a greater sense of community despite the many obstacles we've collectively faced. As we look back on all that the year has brought us, I'm inspired by the ways Humanities faculty, staff, students, alumni and our community supporters not only persevered, but also innovated.
Tyrus Miller, Dean, UCI School of Humanities

2021 in Numbers

A yellow square that says, A yellow square that says,
Thinking Out Loud
This academic year has been defined by one pivotal moment: the return to campus after a year and a half of remote education. The School of Humanities welcomed students, staff and faculty with a vibrant outdoor museum highlighting significant moments throughout history and decals to show off #UCIPride.
Innovation
As we emerge from a historic pandemic, we are innovating a better tomorrow.
Duncan Pritchard is standing beside a bookshelf, with his arms crossed in front of him
New Anteater Virtues Project teaches all students four core intellectual virtues
An avatar in a suit stands in a virtual environment
Doctoral student builds virtual worlds as 'next evolutionary step' of online learning
Three young scholars pose against a wall
The Black Studies Cluster makes space and opportunities for UCI humanities graduate students

Exploring the Human Experience

What makes us human? New books in the humanities.
The book cover of Dread by David Theo Goldberg
Dread by David Theo Goldberg
The book cover of Impossible Stories by John Murillo III
Impossible Stories by John Murillo III
The book cover of How do we look? by Fatimah Tobing Rony
How Do We Look? by Fatimah Tobing Rony
The book cover of Sports TV by Victoria E. Johnson
Sports TV by Victoria E. Johnson
Fostering Diversity
Diversity, equity and inclusion aren't buzzwords—they are vital components of the school's success. These are just a few of the ways they took shape in programming, courses, scholarship and more.
UCI launches yearlong series on Black Reconstruction: Mellon Foundation funds interdisciplinary project to show how 150-year-old themes remain relevant
Being the future: New course welcomes first-generation students to the School of Humanities
UCI student-led video series wins CASE gold award: "The Welcome Table" spotlights UCI's Black faculty, staff, students and alumni
Historian Jessica Millward named UCI Inclusive Excellence Term Chair: Inaugural chair aligns with goals of UCI's Black Thriving Initiative
Tiffany Willoughby-Herard recognized for training the next generation of scholars: She wins UCI Academic Senate Distinguished Faculty Award for Mentorship
Sharon Block joins the Office of Inclusive Excellence: The history professor is interim associate director of OIE
A panorama of framed hand-drawn portraits
Whitfield Lovell, The Card Pieces, 2020, Charcoal pencil on paper with attached playing cards.

Proud Language Learning

Innovation in language instruction led to a renaissance in language learning and support.
A teacher leans over a table surrounded by students
Spanish/English bilingual education minor prepares students for careers in bilingual education
A female professor stands in front of Humanities Gateway
New French and Italian language courses at UCI are designed for Spanish speakers
A collage with a map of Armenia and a headshot of Linda Shekerjian
UCI alumna makes generous estate gift to support Western Armenian language instruction
Brilliant Future
Our groundbreaking work this year wouldn't have been possible without generous support from alumni, the wider UCI community and local and national organizations.
UCI joins The Humanities Coalition to foster diverse career opportunities: Council of Graduate Schools funding supports career development for humanities scholars
UCI Center for Critical Korean Studies receives two international grants: Over $1 million in funding will support programs, create new faculty position
Alumnus Vincent Steckler '80 and his wife donate $10.4 million to UCI: Over half of gift supports graduate and undergraduate students pursuing coursework in art history
Making and capturing history: Founding faculty member Spencer Olin reflects on UCI's history
A collage of Spence Olin, made up of black and white photos
Collage of Spence Olin

Humanities Out There

A woman using her sewing machine in her busy work space
Students and faculty engaged in community research and experiential learning beyond the classroom.
A fresh perspective on the AAPI experience: UCI students document reality in O.C.'s Asian American and Pacific Islander community during the pandemic
On the road again: Héctor Tobar drives across America in search of its Latino soul
Uncovering the cause of the soil lead crisis in Santa Ana: UCI historian Juan Manuel Rubio partners with environmental justice groups on research
Sea stories: UCI students record community's connection to the ocean through oral history project

#Trending

Social media posts that made the most impact this year.
A statuesque man throws a javelin
Classicist Zina Giannapoulou took us back in time to the original Olympics
Touraj Daryaee is photographed in front of Humanities Gateway
Touraj Daryaee was elected to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts
Two UCI members play ddakji outside
UCI language leaders brought the popular "Squid Game" to campus