Imagine Yourself at UCMerced

School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

Dear Student:

In 1962, Marshall McLuhan, a Canadian professor of English literature, coined the term “global village,” which meant to him a future in which communication across cultures and across the world could be instantaneous. Today, his vision has been made into a reality by the Internet, which allows us to be in Merced and Kathmandu at the same virtual moment. But merely being able to communicate does not erase the reality of cultural and linguistic diversity — to truly and effectively communicate, one must also understand the social, political, economic, aesthetic and religious variability that characterizes the world in which we live. In other words, to be a true global citizen, one must have the ability to think critically, write well, have knowledge of the past so as to inform the present, and to develop a capacity for life-long learning. To help you become this global citizen, our school embraces many disciplines, including cognitive and information sciences, humanities and world cultures, psychological sciences, and social sciences and management. Our faculty are among the very best scholars in the world and they have joined UC Merced to create exciting new programs that appeal to our leaders of the future. Although we offer traditional majors and minors, we also seek to broaden your horizons by offering courses of multidisciplinary studies — ones that cross-cut traditional fields. In some classes, you will learn the basics — the fundamental knowledge of a discipline, and how that knowledge can be used to get a better understanding of the complexity of the human condition. In other classes, you will be challenged to develop critical thinking skills that can be used in any career no matter what the content. And in many of our courses, you will learn how to write effectively, collaborate with your peers, and speak in public settings, both large and small. When you leave UC Merced, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skill sets that will enable you to engage with the world, to recognize and solve problems of all kinds, and to succeed in a career.

Take advantage of the limitless opportunities you have before you in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. Become that global citizen!

Sincerely, MARK ALDENDERFER Dean, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

Highlights

TWO NEW MAJORS FOR FALL 2013. A bachelor’s degree in English asks students to recognize the complex inter- actions of culture and literature, while engaging in the continuing conversation about the meaning and value of human society. Literary discourse arises out of specific times, places and cultural traditions. A bachelor’s degree in Spanish will emphasize the study of Hispanic literature as well as Spanish Linguistics and Culture. Students will be prepared to face the demands of an increasingly globalized society by learning to com- municate their ideas in Spanish in different professional contexts, to think critically and to analyze literary works.

COGNITIVE SCIENTIST TEENIE MATLOCK was presented with The Young Investigator Award which is given to one recipient in all scientific fields per year. It acknowledges scientists for achieve- ment in interdisciplinary research and the ability to communicate the significance of their research to the general public. FACULTY HOST A WEB-BASED JOURNAL, alternaCtive publicaCtions, which is dedicated to posting unpublished creative works primarily by Latino and Latina authors. The online journal provides a temporary publication of literary works that may be considered non-marketable by established presses. MARK ALDENDERFER , dean of UC Merced’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts, was featured in a National Geographic documentary that showcased his research into an ancient civilization in Nepal.

6 | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED