Humanities

ENGLISH, COMICS AND CARTOON STUDIES — Ben Saunders, professor and pop-culture scholar in the College of Arts and Sciences, curated a special exhibit in LA featuring comics artist, Jack Kirby. The exhibit, “Jack Kirby: Heroes and Humanity,” received glowing reviews and is a must-see for anyone in the LA area. In this Q&A, Saunders explains what makes Kirby exceptional and why he's so important to him.

CINEMA STUDIES, EAST ASIAN STUDIES — For Natalie Jacobsen explored multiple majors before landing on cinema studies and media history. That well-rounded education took her across the globe and to her current position as director of marketing and communications at Airlink, a humanitarian aviation nonprofit. She is also a published novelist.

THEATRE ARTS - This year, the University Theatre’s season includes an exciting range of productions by Shakespeare, Jen Silverman, D.W. Gregory and Monica Sanchez. Each of the plays offers a mix of historical and contemporary themes, while also addressing timely issues such as immigration, gender roles, and workplace safety. And it marks the return of the Robinson Theatre.

THEATRE ARTS - Local production of the play, "THEM," opens in Eugene July 24. “THEM,” produced and directed by University of Oregon professor, Malek Najjar is a powerful drama about war, hope and survival. Using humor, laughter and song, the play transports audiences into the extraordinary circumstances that reveal their shared humanity and the ordinary moments that shape their lives.

Celebrate the class of 2025 with a slideshow featuring some of their favorite moments!

COMICS AND CARTOON STUDIES, DISABILITY STUDIES, ENGLISH - What makes the comic book villain the Joker such a popular antagonist for Batman? It’s one of many questions Professor Elizabeth Wheeler examines in her latest research paper, “The Joker’s Shifting Face: Eighty Years of Mad History in Batman and American Culture.”

SCHNITZER SCHOOL OF GLOBAL STUDIES AND LANGUAGES - After announcing a landmark $25 million commitment, Portland developer, philanthropist and alumnus Jordan Schnitzer shares his thoughts on living in an ever-globalizing world—and his hopes for the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages.

CINEMA STUDIES - Visiting filmmaker series helps cinema studies majors connect with mentors in the movie industry—and learn how films really get made. In spring 2025, Academy Award-nominated director Sean Wang was on campus to share his experience and advice with students in the Cinema Studies department.

ENGLISH - A groundbreaking digital humanities project brings theater history to the public, despite federal funding cuts. “The 18th-century London theater world has it all,” says Mattie Burkert, an associate professor of English and director of the digital humanities minor in the College of Arts and Sciences. “Scandals, government censorship, audience riots, labor strikes, market manipulation, corporate intrigue—you name it.”