Walking up to a mile around campus throughout the day between apartment buildings, dining facilities, and lecture rooms. Classrooms, dining, and lecture halls are accessible via ramps or elevators. The UC Santa Cruz campus is hilly and built on an incline, with stairs and ramps to navigate between buildings. Dancing (optional) at this evening's Victorian Dance.
Breakfast: 8:00-8:45 AM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall. Morning Coffee and Tea Service: 8:15-10:15 AM.
Faculty-led Contextual Discussion Groups: 9:00-10:00 AM. Faculty members from a Dickens Project Consortium university or college will provide additional context about the novel in a small group setting. Plenary Lecture: 10:15-11:30 AM. A Dickens Project Consortium faculty member or guest faculty member will present an academic lecture about an aspect of the novel that is also the subject of their research. Graduate Student-led Workshop on the Novel: 11:45-12:45 PM. A pair of graduate students from Dickens Project Consortium universities or colleges will lead workshops on the novel. These workshops offer the graduate student pairs with valuable teaching experience in a small group setting. They may include different areas of their own research as it relates to the novel or time period, and introduction to a variety of literary theories.
Road Scholar Luncheon: 1:00-1:45 PM. This is a special catered lunch for Road Scholars to enjoy each other’s company. Share favorite experiences and enjoy the camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell lunch.
Dickensian Seminars [Elective]: 2:00-3:00 PM. Can't get enough? Friends of the Dickens Project Board Members (current and former high school teachers) facilitate two small groups, including Community College instructors and others, who want a more in-depth discussion of the novel and the lectures. If you have more to say or want to move to another level, the Dickensian Seminar is the place for you. Fireside Chat with John O. Jordan (UC Santa Cruz) and Renée Fox (UC Santa Cruz): 4:00-5:00 PM. Hear stories from past Dickens Universe events, learn about the Dickens Project, discuss current programs and future plans, and ask the Project’s Co-Directors questions. Victorian Dance Lesson [Elective]: 5:15-6:16 PM. On Monday-Friday afternoons, longtime Dickens Universe conference participant/dance instructor will introduce Victorian and English dances. Attend each day or drop in as you’d like to prepare for the Victorian Ball on Friday night.
Dinner: 6:15-7:00 PM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall.
Post-Prandial Potations, T-shirt and Book Sale: 7:00-7:45 PM. Join us for after-dinner beverages and to get to know the other conference participants. Mingle with academics, the general public, and students from around the world. Friends of the Dickens Project Fundraising Auction: 7:45-8:30 PM. Join fellow Universe participants for friendly bidding on Dickens, and ‘A Tale of Two Cities’-related items. When you give to the Friends of the Dickens Project, you are helping to sustain the very future of the Dickens Project. Your contribution goes beyond helping to bring world-renowned speakers to the Dickens Universe each summer who would not otherwise be able to attend. It ensures that the Project can continue its important outreach to high schools and community college teachers. The auction concludes with the announcement of the 2024 Dickens Universe novel. Copies will be available for sale. Victorian Ball: 8:30-11:00 PM. The final night of the Dickens Universe ends with Victorian Dancing to a live band. Our dance mistress will lead the festive event and offer beginner-friendly instruction to dance the night away. Costumes are welcome, but not required.