School of Arts and Humanities Moments Newsletter

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Distinguished Professor of Playwriting Naomi Iizuka (Theatre and Dance) has been selected for one of the largest unrestricted nonprofit theatre commissions in the U.S. Her intended commission is titled “Casa de Mañana,” a dark comedy.

Associate Professor of History Todd Henry shares the origins of “Paradise,” a film he researched and produced that recently won the grand prize in documentary at the Korean Urban Film Festival, as well as details on his forthcoming book.

Philosophers Manuel Vargas and Eddy Keming Chen examine the nature of free will from two angles—whether the universe’s makeup allows for the freedom of choice and the way free will functions in society as a method of cooperation.

Carrie Mae Weems, a celebrated American artist and visual arts alumna, was recently presented the National Medal of Arts. Artist Mark Bradford, whose work is included in the university’s Stuart Collection, was also recognized.

"Here on Earth: A History of the Kibbutz" 

Professor Mira Balberg (History) 

“Here on Earth” (2024) tells the story of the kibbutz, a daring social experiment in collectivized living, from its inception in the beginning of the 20th century to the present. “This book is my attempt to weave a historical narrative from the stories that the people of the kibbutz told about themselves and from the stories that others told about them,” writes Balberg in the preface.

"Egyptian Things: Translating Egypt to Early Imperial Rome" 

Assistant Professor Edward William Kelting (Literature)

“Egyptian Things (2024) overturns the usual narratives of Roman domination, centering culturally mixed authors who wrote about Egypt for a Greek and Roman audience. The vibrant literary tradition known as Aegyptiaca, or “Egyptian things,” represents a complex project of political engagement and cultural translation.

Assistant Professor of Literature Lillian Lu has always been drawn to gothic stories. She offers a glimpse of her current research—a transhistorical look at how contemporary authors of the Asian diaspora are adapting novels from the 18th century.

At a new Homecoming academic symposium, Professor of Philosophy and Data Science David Danks spoke about the ethical and social implications of introducing and regulating innovative AI technologies.

Congratulations to philosophy graduate student Shelly Yiran Shi for winning the prestigious Mary B. Hesse Graduate Student Essay Award for her paper, “Nothing Matters,” selected from nearly 400 submissions at the biennial Philosophy of Science Association conference. 

We also applaud Associate Professor Eddy Keming Chen, who was recognized with an Outreach and Engagement Award, as well as Professor David Danks, who as program chair led the largest ever conference, drawing over 700 attendees.

In a “play about witches with no witches in it,” the Department of Theatre and Dance presents “Vinegar Tom.” Peppered with modern punk songs, the story centers on 17th century women accused of witchcraft for rejecting social norms.

Nesser Rahmaninejad shares his experience as a political artist and prisoner in Iran, and social cultural anthropologist Shahla Talebi rewrites the story of prisons in this Institute of Arts and Humanities event.

Pianist Jack Yarbrough performs Assistant Professor of Music Ti McCormack's concert-length piano solo. The piece uses register, resonance and touch to create a hermetic but expansive listening experience. 

The MFA in Visual Arts Preview Exhibition at Mandeville Art Gallery showcases work by MFAs in advance of their final solo thesis shows. Acclaimed LA-based curator Irene Georgia Tsatsos serves as the curatorial advisor for the show.

Celebrating Cinematic Ingenuity

An inaugural showcase and celebration of cinematic work produced by fellows of the Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts was recently held, bringing together a unique community of over a dozen student, faculty, staff and alumni creators from UC San Diego. 

History | Literature | Music | Philosophy | Theatre and Dance | Visual Arts

Analytical Writing Program | Center for Taiwan Studies | Institute for Practical Ethics

Institute of Arts and Humanities | Suraj Israni Center for Cinematic Arts