What Was the American Dream?

The American Dream as both idea and ideal, for all its complications, has had an undeniably powerful role in shaping values and aspirations in the U.S. and far beyond its borders. We spoke with faculty and students in the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis who represent a wealth of knowledge and perspectives that help us think about American society’s past, present and continuing potential. 

Clinical to Compassionate: Educating the Next Generation of Health Care Workers

The Critical Medical Humanities Program at Aggie Square in Sacramento offers undergraduates an immersive, cohesive learning experience looking at medical issues from multiple cultural and ethical perspectives, giving students a more well-rounded baseline to work from. Taking place across just one quarter, the program meets the requirements for the medical humanities minor. The first official cohort and one of the program's creators discuss the importance of humanities in health care.

UC Davis Scholars Tackle Antisemitism and Islamophobia

When the most recent war broke out between Israel and Palestine's leaders in the Gaza Strip, UC Davis Associate Professors Sven-Erik Rose and Mairaj Syed decided to confront the controversial topic head on, facilitating talks on campus and teaching a class on antisemitism and Islamophobia. Students were asked to think critically about the past and to question narratives that use stereotypes to pit people against each other.

In the Seagrass Meadows

Join Elisabeth Sellinger and Mazie Lewis for a day of seagrass meadow monitoring research in Elkhorn Slough. A nursery habitat for many marine animals, including mammals, shellfish and fish, seagrass meadows are vital ecosystems. But their benefits don’t just touch the ocean-dwellers of our planet.

Improving Our Lives Through Design

Inside an L-shaped room in Cruess Hall, surrounded by workstations, 3D printers, sewing machines, tools and mannequins wearing prototypes, Gozde Goncu-Berk builds the future. It’s a future of many possibilities, but those possibilities share a common thread. They’re all based around humanity’s increasing use of wearable technology.