2011-12 “Thinking the Region” faculty research seminar:

CALIFORNIA: THE GREAT EXCEPTION?

Convened by Julie Sze (American Studies) and Tom Beamish (Sociology), the seminar explored the concept of California exceptionalism through the state’s approaches to environmental and health risks. The seminar also hosted a public event series inviting local and international scholars to contribute to the conversation around these issues.

The California Cultures Initiative works to enhance the connection of humanities research and scholars at UC Davis to their surrounding region, defined broadly to include areas or sites within the state, as well as state-wide geographies and broader regional understandings. Formerly called the Pacific Regional Humanities Center, the CCI provides funding for individual and group research, course development, and events relevant to California studies on the UC Davis campus.

CCI also supports regional and place-based scholarship through our co-sponsorship of The Art of Regional Change, a yearly community-based multi-media documentary project directed by jesikah maria ross; and through hosting the UC Davis based editorial staff of Boom: a Journal of California, published by UC Press with special funding from the Mellon Foundation and edited by Louis Warren and Carolyn de la Pena.

Questions about the California Cultures Initiative should be directed to program coordinator Jessica Loudermilk.