In modern-day America, books that explore the lives of Black, Latinx, Indigenous, queer, or transgender characters, or are written by individuals from these communities, make up the bulk of the American Library Association's annual list of the most frequently censored books in libraries and schools. According to Machado, bans on books restrict access to valuable literature and hinder students from gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and others.

Navied Mahdavian, author and New Yorker cartoonist, will be presenting his book, “This Country: Searching for Home in (Very) Rural America,” Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. in the University of Utah’s Art Building, room 158. The event is hosted by the Department of Art and History, the Department of English, and the American West Center.

The Tanner Humanities Center is proud to welcome back former fellow, Danielle Olden, as part of the Author Meets Reader Series, Sept. 20, 2023, at 1 p.m. in The Obert C. & Grace A. Tanner Humanities Center Jewel Box. Olden will be discussing her book and ongoing research of historical racial construction and desegregation. 

As chair of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Greg Sarris, distinguished chair emeritus of Native American Studies at Sonoma State University, has an extensive body of humanities work that spans media and genres: novels, memoir, film, theater, and more. In recognition of the work he has done to protect Indigenous knowledges, lands, and peoples, Sarris will receive the 2023 Utah Award in the Environmental Humanities from the University of Utah’s Environmental Humanities Graduate Program.

Undergraduate students, supported by a faculty member, submit a research proposal to the Office of Undergraduate Research and if selected receive a stipend for 120 hours of research work. Ten humanities students were selected for the fall 2023 Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program and the college looks forward to seeing their research come to fruition.

Erika George, director of the Tanner Humanities Center and Samuel D. Thurman Professor of Law has stepped down from her role as of August 31, 2023. After four years of leadership, Geroge believes it is time to return the reins to faculty members within the Humanities.

Humanities students spent their summer break attending workshops, conference presentations, internships, and learning abroad.

Welcome students, faculty, staff, and post docs to an exciting Fall 2023 semester in the College of Humanities! We have an exciting menu of new courses, initiatives, communities, and events on our schedule, enriching our established and excellent academic and student programming that continues to be offered by departments, centers, and programs.