Information about Credit for Undergraduates (Summer Session)
Attending the Universe for Undergraduate Credit
Please be aware that you MUST read the novel, The Old Curiosity Shop before the first class meeting. If you have already enrolled, be sure to read the Course Requirements. The schedule for this course is very intense for the week, and because of that, you will be unable to take another class during that time. See the Course Requirements below.
LIT 112C (UCSC Summer Session, Special Session)
Undergraduates can register through UCSC's Summer Session and receive 5 literature units to fulfill the Canons or Histories critical approach requirement for Literature majors, and the Textual Analysis general education requirement for all UCSC students, GUARANTEED to transfer to all UC campuses. Directions for both UCSC and non-UCSC students are available on the Summer Session website. You must enroll through UCSC Summer Session, even if you're not a current student.
The $1,736.90 program fee (paid to Summer Session) covers all the Dickens Universe activities as well as the price for 5 units. Housing is available at an additional cost through the Dickens Project. If you require on-campus housing during that week, you may purchase it by emailing dpj@ucsc.edu. Students may also buy parking permits and meal cards for the week, ONLY after they enroll through Summer Session.
Course Requirements
You will be taking part in a unique course that is just one facet of the annual Dickens Universe, which is the premier gathering for Dickens scholars from around the world. In addition to faculty and graduate students from UC campuses and 35 other universities, participants include members of the general public and a few high school students.
The schedule for the week is very intense, and you're expected to attend the following lectures and activities. (Check out the schedule for a complete list of activities, including a public research project, Victorian tea, and Victorian dance lessons.)
Required Sessions
Sunday, July 21
• 2:00-5:00 PM - Check-in and Registration
• 7:45-9:00 PM - Opening Lecture: Teresa Mangum (University of Iowa)
* 9:15-10:45 PM - Film Screening [optional]
Monday, July 22
• 9:00-10:00 AM - Faculty-led Contextual Discussion Group
• 10:15-11:30 AM - Lecture: Daniel Novak (University of Alabama)
• 11:45-12:45 PM - Graduate Student-led Workshop on the Novel
• 2:00-3:00 PM - Undergraduate Seminar
* 3:00-3:45 PM - Victorian Tea [optional]
• 4:00-5:00 PM - Undergraduate Writing Workshop
• 7:45-9:00 PM - Lecture: Aviva Briefel (Bowdoin College)
* 9:00-10:45 PM - Film Screening [optional]
Tuesday, July 23
• 9:00-10:00 AM - Faculty-led Contextual Discussion Group
• 10:15-11:30 AM - Lecture: Tara Menon (Harvard University)
• 11:45-12:45 PM - Graduate Student-led Workshop on the Novel
• 2:00-3:00 PM - Undergraduate Seminar
* 3:00-3:45 PM - Victorian Tea [optional]
• 4:00-5:00 PM - Undergraduate Writing Workshop
• 7:45-8:45 PM - Lecture: Jacob Risinger (Ohio State University)
* 9:00-10:45 PM - Film Screening [optional]
Wednesday, July 24
• 9:00-10:00 AM - Faculty-led Contextual Discussion Group
• 10:15-11:30 AM - Lecture: Maja Jafri (Sewanee, University of the South)
• 11:45-12:45 PM - Graduate Student-led Workshop on the Novel
• 2:00-3:00 PM - Undergraduate Seminar
* 3:00-3:45 PM - Victorian Tea [optional]
• 4:00-5:00 PM - Undergraduate Writing Workshop
* 7:15-9:00 PM - Early Film Screening [optional]
* 7:15-11:00 PM - Free Evening
Thursday, July 25
• 9:00-10:00 AM - Faculty-led Contextual Discussion Group
• 10:15-11:30 AM - Lecture: Galia Benziman (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
• 11:45-12:45 PM - Graduate Student-led Workshop on the Novel
• 2:00-3:00 PM - Undergraduate Seminar
* 3:00-3:45 PM - Victorian Tea [optional]
* 4:00-5:00 PM - Talk: John Jordan (UC Santa Cruz) [optional]
* 7:45-8:45 PM - Farce, written and directed by Adam Abraham (University of Miami)
[optional]
* 9:00-10:30 PM - Grand Party [optional]
Friday, July 26
• 9:00-10:00 AM - Faculty-led Contextual Discussion Groups
• 10:15-11:30 AM - Research Presentation: Robyn Warhol (Ohio State University), Helena Michie (Rice University), Huw Edwardes-Evans (Rice University)
•11:45-12:45 PM - Graduate Student-led Workshop on the Novel
* 4:00-5:00 PM - Fireside Chat with John O. Jordan (UC Santa Cruz) and Renée Fox (UC Santa Cruz) [optional]
* 7:45-8:30 PM - Auction [optional]
* 8:30-11:00 PM - Victorian Dance [optional]
Reading and Writing Requirements
Before the class, you must read the latest Penguin Classics edition of The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. Additionally, Professor Jordan highly recommends that you acquaint yourself with a biography of Charles Dickens. Charles Dickens: A Life by Jane Smiley provides a terrific introduction.
There is an 8-10 page paper due no later than Monday, August 4, 2025. The title of your paper needs to be submitted no later than Monday, July 28. Details about the paper and submission will be given to you in class. If enrollment is too large for one seminar, another concurrent seminar will be added, led by Project faculty. Please note: The Undergraduate Writing Workshop is the ideal environment to work on and receive feedback on your final paper.
Are you still on the fence, wondering if the Dickens Universe is right for you? Check out what other undergraduate students have to say about the experience!
