Annual Dickens Universe: A Conference of 19th Century Literature

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768

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DATES & starting prices

PRICES

Jul 23 - Jul 29, 2023

Starting at

1,299

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DATES & starting prices

PRICES

Jul 23 - Jul 29, 2023

Starting at

1,399

Select Date

Deposit, Transfer & Cancellation Policy

Program Terms & Conditions

Annual Dickens Universe: A Conference of 19th Century Literature

Program No. 4650RJ Deposit at Enrollment: 100 Final payment due: 59 days before departure date

Transfer & Cancellation Policy

Note: These fees apply to at least one date of this program, but may vary by date.

If you transfer or cancel:

fee will be applied if you do not call Road Scholar Participant Services at least one business day prior to the program start date.

Transfer Fee: 100 % of order total

Cancel Fee: 100 % of order total

less than 14 days prior to program start date

Transfer Fee: 50 % of order total

Cancel Fee: 50 % of order total

55 to 14 days prior to program start date

Cancel Fee: $200.00

119 to 56 days prior to program start date

Cancel Fee: $100.00

up to 120 days prior to program start date

Cancel Fee: $50.00

up to 14 days prior to program start date

Transfer Fee: $0.00

If you transfer or cancel:	Transfer Fee:	Cancel Fee:
fee will be applied if you do not call road scholar participant services at least one business day prior to the program start date.	100 % of order total	100 % of order total
less than 14 days prior to program start date	50 % of order total	50 % of order total
55 to 14 days prior to program start date		$200.00
119 to 56 days prior to program start date		$100.00
up to 120 days prior to program start date		$50.00
up to 14 days prior to program start date	$0.00

COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

For the greatest peace of mind and protection, we require all Road Scholar participants to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including having received all recommended boosters if eligible.

Road Scholar Program Terms and Conditions

How to Enroll in a Program

Call Us or Enroll Online To enroll

Please call us toll free at (877) 426-8056, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET. You may also enroll online at www.roadscholar.org. To reserve space on a program, Road Scholar requires a deposit followed by final payment.

Road Scholar is Not-For-Profit

Road Scholar is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that incurs over $5 million annually on credit card fees. Please help us reduce this cost by paying for your program with a check. Please consider our paperless check option when paying on the phone or over the Internet. Our Advisors are happy to explain this payment option to you.

Tax-Deductible Donations

As a not-for-profit organization, we appreciate and rely on charitable donations to help us develop and maintain high-quality educational programs with exceptional value. Donations from U.S. citizens are tax-deductible as provided by law. As Road Scholar is not a registered charity in Canada, donations are not tax deductible for Canadian citizens.

Financial Assistance

Road Scholar offers two kinds of assistance: Scholarships, for those with desire but not the financial means to participate in our U.S.- or Canada-based learning adventures; and Caregiver Grants, designed to provide a unique respite opportunity for unpaid family caregivers to participate in a U.S.- or Canada-based Road Scholar program. Visit www.roadscholar.org/about/financial-assistance/scholarships, email us at scholarships@roadscholar.org, or call us toll free at (877) 426-8056.

General Program Information

Activity Level Ratings

Each Road Scholar program is assigned an Activity Level rating, ranging from Easy Going to Challenging, which are noted on program webpages. Try our Advanced Search tool to find programs that match your activity level. If you have special needs, or need a little extra help in finding the right program for your level of fitness and ambition, please call us and we’ll work to find options for you.

Disabilities and Special Needs

Road Scholar is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to participants with special needs and disabilities. If you have special needs requiring accommodation, please communicate them to Road Scholar at the time of enrollment. We will discuss your request with you and make every effort to accommodate you.

Service Learning

Our Service Learning programs bring participants together to work as a team to serve worthy projects. Road Scholar and sponsoring service institutions are not-for-profit organizations and are tax-exempt under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The program price may qualify as a tax-deductible gift. However, since individual circumstances vary, we suggest participants contact their tax advisors.

Included Emergency Assistance and Medical Evacuation Insurance

Road Scholar’s continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified in our Road Scholar Assurance Plan. Whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our programs overseas, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under the Road Scholar Assurance Plan. This plan is purchased by Road Scholar on behalf of every participant. The plan provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program and insurance for emergency medical evacuation. This plan includes insurance benefits underwritten by Arch Insurance Company and emergency assistance services provided by LiveTravel Assist. To learn more about this plan, including its terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions, and to view and download a certificate of insurance, please visit: www.roadscholar.org/about/included-insurance/

Travel Health

In addition to maintaining necessary vaccinations, including seasonal influenza vaccination, Road Scholar recommends all participants consult with their physician, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Department of State regarding their health condition and any recommendations specific to the destinations they will visit or transit well before departure. While Road Scholar does its best to provide pertinent information regarding international health requirements and travel health precautions for travel abroad, please remember we are not health experts and can only share with you the recommendations made by the CDC and the US Department of State. It It is therefore your responsibility to consult with your physician and/or contact the CDC for health information specific to your travel destination. Your physician will be able to assess your overall health and fitness, provide information and guidance on health risks you may encounter while traveling, medication you may need to take, and other precautions for the prevention of injury and illness during your program.

Here is guidance from the Centers for Disease Control on how to avoid contracting and spreading an illness.

Only travel if you are healthy. Stay home if you are sick, displaying any symptoms of potential sickness.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

For those looking for additional resources on this topic, we recommend trusted sources such as your physician, the US Department of State, CDC, and WHO.

U.S. Department of State: www.travel.state.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/travel
World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int/

Your health and safety are of the utmost importance to us. To learn more about Road Scholar’s commitment to our participants’ well-being and the steps you can take to keep yourself healthy when traveling, please visit www.roadscholar.org/practical-information/general-health-safety/

Please also be sure to review our Travel Updates webpage for the latest travel information, steps we are taking to keep your program experience as safe as possible, as well as helpful information about how to prepare for your upcoming program and what to expect once you're there. www.roadscholar.org/practical-information/travel-updates/

Domestic Travel Arrangements

Programs in the United States and Canada require independent arrivals and departures unless otherwise stated, meaning that you must make your own travel arrangements to and from the program site. If you are flying to your program, you will be responsible for getting yourself from the airport to the starting location of your program and returning to the airport at the end. Please keep in mind that many airlines assess penalties if you need to change or cancel your ticket— up to 100 percent of the ticket price in certain cases — for which you will be responsible. Please also be aware that Road Scholar may occasionally have to alter a program in a way that affects flight schedules, and you will be responsible for changing your flight arrangements and paying applicable fees. For the greatest protection, we recommend waiting until 60 days prior to your program in the United States or Canada to purchase airfare.

International Travel Arrangements

Road Scholar Can Help Arrange Your International Airfare

Almost all of our international programs can be purchased with airfare arranged by Road Scholar. We have negotiated special international rates with major airlines. A list of departure cities can be found by visiting our website or calling to speak with one of our experienced Advisors. As an added benefit, guaranteed airport transfers on the program’s published start and end date are included with your international air travel when arranged through Road Scholar. If your preferred airport is not listed, or you would like to travel on a different day, travel in premium or business class, specify the airline or routing, or travel independently before or after our program, we are happy to customize and create a personalized air travel itinerary to meet your needs. Select the “Custom Flight Arrangements” option and then the airport you want, or discuss your flight preferences with one of our expert air Travel Advisors.

Arranging Your Own International Airfare

If you choose to make your own international air travel arrangements, you will be responsible for getting yourself from the airport to the starting location of your program and returning to the airport at the end. Please keep in mind that many airlines assess penalties if you need to change or cancel your ticket— up to 100 percent of the ticket price in certain cases — for which you will be responsible. Please also be aware that Road Scholar may occasionally have to alter a program in a way that affects flight schedules, and you will be responsible for changing your flight arrangements and paying applicable fees. For the greatest protection, we recommend waiting until 90 days prior to your International program to purchase airfare,

Road Scholar Optional Trip Protection with “Cancel for Any Reason” Coverage

The optional Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan helps protect your investment if you must cancel or interrupt your program for specified, covered reasons, such as illness or injury to you, your traveling companion or an immediate family member of you or your traveling companion. Plus, if you need to cancel your program for any reason not covered by insurance, you will receive a credit good for future travel with Road Scholar for the full amount of the Road Scholar cancellation fee. The plan also provides benefits if you are delayed getting to or returning home from your program and protects your investment should you have an emergency during your program that causes you to miss program days or return home earlier than expected. Your airfare, whether purchased through Road Scholar or independently, is covered at no additional cost — an exceptional benefit and value offered exclusively to Road Scholar participants. You will receive information about this optional travel insurance plan when you enroll in a program. To learn more about this plan, including its terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions, and to view and download a certificate of insurance, please visit: www.roadscholar.org/about/protection-plan.

Additional Program Information

Our goal is to make sure our participants have the most enjoyable and rewarding program experience possible. Whether you are considering one of Road Scholar’s many educational adventures or are currently enrolled in a program, we highly recommend you review the additional program information available in the Practical Information section on our website. The section includes a wide range of topics and information -- everything from how to choose the perfect program to traveling solo to insurance. Please visit www.roadscholar.org/practical-information, or call us if you have specific questions. After you enroll in a program, please be sure to carefully read all pre-program communications and your Program preparatory materials, as they provide important information about how to prepare for your upcoming program and what to expect once you're there.

Program Policies

Deposit, Transfer and Cancellation Policy

Road Scholar requires deposits for all its programs, and charges fees if you transfer or cancel your enrollment. Deposits and fees vary between programs. Please refer to the Deposit, Transfer & Cancellation Policy on program webpages for specific deposit amounts, and transfer and cancellation fee schedules.

About Program Details and Itineraries

We make every effort to operate our programs as advertised. The information on our website is updated regularly, and reflects the most up to date information. We are committed to providing participants with final program details no later than three weeks before the start of land programs within the United States, four weeks for programs International and Afloat programs. and one week for online programs. However, itineraries or other aspects of a program may change due to situations beyond the control. If this happens we will do our best to notify you of the change prior to arriving on your program. We ask you to pack a little extra patience and flexibility, just in case there are last-minute changes to your program.

If Road Scholar Cancels or Interrupts a Program

Road Scholar reserves the right to cancel programs prior to departure, terminate a program early, and to take action as needed on an individual or group basis when, in Road Scholar’s opinion, the health, safety or well-being of participants requires such action. Additionally, due to low enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances, Road Scholar must occasionally cancel or change the dates of a program. When that occurs we will notify you as far in advance as possible and will assist you in transferring your enrollment to another program or refunding your full Road Scholar program payment. If you have made transportation arrangements, such as an airline ticket purchase, Road Scholar will give you a credit good for future travel with Road Scholar to help cover the cost of transferring your travel arrangements for use on a replacement program. The maximum value of the credit will be $300 and documentation of your paid fees is required before issuance of the credit.

Accuracy of Information

While every effort is made to provide accurate information on our website and in our catalogs, Road Scholar is not responsible for typographical errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may relate to program descriptions, pricing, and availability. Road Scholar reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may appear in our publications, and to change or update information at any time without prior notice. If you discover an error on our website or catalog, please let us know.

Program Pricing

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing exceptional educational opportunities at a remarkable value. We do everything in our power to ensure that the published program price is the price you pay. On occasion, costs we can’t anticipate and that are beyond our control arise and may be passed along to you. If this occurs, we will let you know as soon as possible.

Terms and Conditions

Program Selection
We want every participant to have a safe, enjoyable and rewarding program experience. The travel and activities of Road Scholar programs require participants to be in good general health and capable of performing all program activities as described by the program description and its corresponding Activity Level. As a group travel experience, participants must be capable of caring for themselves during the program and agree not to impede the progress of the program or interfere with the enjoyment of other participants. Participants are required to disclose known medical and physical conditions that may interfere with their safety and well being or the safety and well being of others during this program. Road Scholar may limit or terminate the participation in the program at the participant’s expense and without refund any participants who fail to disclose all medical information or do not honestly assess their physical capabilities in advance. With this information in mind, carefully consider the travel and program demands as described on the Road Scholar website, and consult with your physician about your travel plans. If after enrolling you have second thoughts about the program you chose, please call us and we will be happy to assist you in finding a program better suited to your abilities.

Responsibility

Road Scholar’s responsibility is limited. Road Scholar organizes, promotes, and sells educational programs consisting of certain travel services, including land, air, and water transportation, excursions, and cruise/barge/hotel accommodations that Road Scholar purchases or reserves from various suppliers (collectively, “Suppliers”). Road Scholar neither owns nor operates any of these Suppliers; they are independent contractors and are not Road Scholar’s agents. Therefore, Road Scholar is not responsible for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any Supplier or any other third party. You agree that you will look to such Suppliers, and not to Road Scholar or its agents, for any accident, injury, property damage, or personal loss you may suffer. Without limitation, Road Scholar is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay, or inconvenience in connection with the provision of, or failure to provide, any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from — but not limited to — acts of God or force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation, or the failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart on time, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Road Scholar.

Safety & Risks

Certain risks — from natural disasters to accidents, outbreaks of illness, crime, insect-borne and other infectious diseases, environmental risks to health, terrorism and other unforeseen events — are inherent in travel. While such occurrences are beyond our control, we make substantial efforts to be prepared for such possibilities. Participants are encouraged to review the safety and travel information provided by the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn about current security issues, travel advisories and warnings, recent embassy notices, country-specific health information, health risks you may encounter while traveling, precautions for the prevention of illness, disease and general health issues during your program and other helpful destination-specific information. By enrolling in a program, you agree to assume responsibility for your own health, safety, and welfare, and acknowledge that Road Scholar cannot guarantee your safety or health at any time.

Admission & Participation Policy

The granting or denial of admission to a program is within the sole discretion of Road Scholar. Road Scholar reserves the right to revoke admission or terminate or limit participation at any time if Road Scholar reasonably determines a participant’s condition, behavior or actions are inappropriate or disruptive, or adversely affect the participant’s health or safety, or the health, safety or enjoyment of other participants. Road Scholar reserves the right to take action as needed on an individual or group basis when, in Road Scholar’s sole opinion, the health, safety or well-being of participants requires such action.

Photography and Video

Road Scholar reserves the right to take photographs, videos or audio/visual recordings during the operation of any program or part thereof and to use them, whether taken by a representative of Road Scholar or by other participants, for promotional purposes. By enrolling in a Road Scholar program, participants agree to allow their images or recordings to be used for such purposes. Participants who prefer that their images or recordings not be used are asked to identify themselves to program staff and the photographer at the commencement of their program. For Road Scholar online programs, all audio or video recordings, content and materials are the property of Road Scholar. Participants are prohibited from taking screen captures, or making, copying or distributing all or part of any audio or video recordings of online programs.

Online Program Terms

If you enroll in one of Road Scholar’s online programs, you are responsible for the integrity of the device on which you will attend this online program, as well as your own high-speed internet connection. Road Scholar is not responsible for outages or interruptions in internet service. Road Scholar cannot and will not provide recordings, content or materials, or provide reimbursement of any kind, for missed portion(s) of your online program, regardless of the reason.

Seller of Travel Information

Road Scholar’s state of Washington Seller of Travel Reg. No. 602244658. CST #2068427-40. Florida Seller of Travel Reg. No. ST35594.

Modifications to Terms and Conditions

Road Scholar reserves the right at any time to update, change, modify, or revise these Terms and Conditions at any time. Any changes will become effective upon posting the changes, modifications or revisions to the Terms and Conditions. Accordingly, participants should review Road Scholar’s Terms and Conditions regularly prior to travel in order to ensure they are aware of any changes.

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Optional Trip Protection Plan

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768

7 days

6 nights

17 meals

6B 5L 6D

1

Registration, RS event, dinner. Evening lecture, then film.

Santa Cruz, CA

2

Full Day of Lectures, Sale, Evening Lecture, Film Screening

Santa Cruz, CA

3

Full Day of Lectures, Sale, Evening Lecture, Film Screening

Santa Cruz, CA

4

No Evening Lecture, Early Film Screening

Santa Cruz, CA

5

Last Day Afternoon Tea, Evening Entertainment, Grand Party

Santa Cruz, CA

6

Usual morning activities, Auction, and Victorian Dance

Santa Cruz, CA

7

Departures After Breakfast

Santa Cruz, CA

View Full Itinerary

At a Glance

The Dickens Universe is an annual gathering of scholars, teachers, and members of the general public who share a love of Dickens’s novels and his era. The festive week-long program includes lectures by distinguished scholars, small seminars, films, teas, and Victorian dancing. Enrollment is limited. Register early!

Activity Level

On Your Feet

Walking up to a mile or more each day on a hilly terrain between apartment, dining facilities and lecture rooms. Classrooms, dining and lecture halls are all accessible via ramps or elevators. The apartments are not equipped with elevators.

Best of all, you’ll…

Explore the novel in small discussion groups and lectures by distinguished international faculty.
Enjoy afternoon tea served by the Friends of the Dickens Project.
Immerse yourself in the world of Dickens at a grand party and an evening of Victorian dancing.

Featured Expert

All Experts

Mark Gordon

Mark Gordon, a retired children’s librarian from New York City Public Schools, moved to Santa Cruz in 1992. He has been active in educational work his whole adult life and earned a graduate degree from Pratt Institute in Library Science. In Santa Cruz, in addition to being on the board of the Friends of the Dickens Project, Mark is also a very active board member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UC Santa Cruz. He is married with two daughters and three grandchildren.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

John O. Jordan View biography

John Jordan is a research professor of literature at the University of California, Santa Cruz and the director of The Dickens Project. His primary research interests include Victorian literature and culture, Charles Dickens and narrative theory. John is the author of "Supposing Bleak House" and co-editor, with Robert Patten and Catherine Waters, of the "Oxford Handbook of Charles Dickens."

Jason Rudy View biography

Jason Rudy is an associate professor of English at the University of Maryland, College Park. A member of the Historical Poets Working Group, Jason’s research focuses on English nineteenth-century literature and its circulation around the world, particularly in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Most recently, Jason has authored “Imagined Homelands: British Poetry in the Colonies" (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2017) which studies poetry written in colonial spaces by British emigrants.

Mark Gordon View biography

Mark Gordon, a retired children’s librarian from New York City Public Schools, moved to Santa Cruz in 1992. He has been active in educational work his whole adult life and earned a graduate degree from Pratt Institute in Library Science. In Santa Cruz, in addition to being on the board of the Friends of the Dickens Project, Mark is also a very active board member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at UC Santa Cruz. He is married with two daughters and three grandchildren.

Tricia Lootens View biography

Tricia Lootens is a Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor of English. The author of 'Political Poetess: Victorian Femininity, Race, and the Legacy of Separate Spheres,' (Princeton, 2017), Lootens strongly supports current moves toward "undisciplining Victorian Studies." Transatlantic explorations of nineteenth-century poetry's racialized relations to larger cultural fantasies of patriotism, nationalism, femininity, and race, have shaped her work and have more recently expanded to encompass trans-imperial studies.

Suggested Reading List (1 books)

Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop

You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

Search for a Title

A Tale of Two Cities

by Charles Dickens, edited by Richard Maxwell

We recommend the most recent Penguin Classics edition so that everyone can be “on the same page,” but if you already have an edition you enjoy, please bring that.

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7 days

6 nights

17 meals

6 B 5 L 6 D

DAY

1

Registration, RS event, dinner. Evening lecture, then film.

Santa Cruz, CA

D

College Nine and John R. Lewis College Apartments

Activity note: Registration at College Nine and Lewis College. Temporary parking is available for registration, and then your car must be moved to a Conference lot. Assistance is available for those needing help with luggage. Apartments do not have elevators. The Dickens Universe is different in that you will attend a conference that includes other members of the general public, academics, and students from UCSC. We don't set you apart as a group; you attend the other participants' activities.

Afternoon: Registration & Apartment Check-in: 2:00-5:00 PM. Temporary parking is available for registration, but if you drive to campus, cars must be moved to a conference parking lot. Assistance will be available for those who need help with luggage. Please note that most apartments do not have elevators. During registration, we will disseminate name badges and conference programs and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 5:15-6:00 PM. The Group Leader and Program Manager will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, and emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID protocols and adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Dinner: 6:15-7:00 PM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall. All meals are cafeteria-style at the nearby Dining Hall. Menu items change daily, but there is always a variety of vegetarian items, including a salad bar. There is also the ever-popular soft-serve ice cream. We share the dining hall with other summer programs, so it is essential to stick to the meal times and not arrive early or stay late.

Evening: Post-Prandial Potations (refreshments): 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. Opening Lecture: 7:45-9:00 PM. The Opening Lecture generally sets the stage for the entire week. Additional information about the conference format will be provided during at the start of this event. At Leisure: 9:00 PM-On -OR- Film Screening [Elective]: 9:15-10:45 PM. For the first four nights of the conference, there will be evening film screenings. The films will relate to the text or the era and may provide additional context about the novel.

DAY

2

Full Day of Lectures, Sale, Evening Lecture, Film Screening

Santa Cruz, CA

B,L,D

College Nine and John R. Lewis College Apartments

Activity note: 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.

Breakfast: 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.

Morning: 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.

Lunch: Lunch: 1:00-1:45 PM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall.

Afternoon: 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. Repeat Film Screening [Elective]: 2:00-4:00 PM. Repeat of Sunday night’s screening. Victorian Tea: 3:00-3:45 PM. Friends of the Dickens Project Board Members present afternoon tea service Monday-Thursday afternoons. Connect with other conference participants while enjoying hot tea and cold tea punch, home-baked cookies and fresh fruit. Talk: 4:00-5:00 PM. A Dickens Project Consortium faculty member or guest faculty member will present a talk about a topic that focuses on the Victorian era and may be adjacent to the novel. 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: Dinner: 6:15-7:00 PM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall.

Evening: 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. Lecture: 7:45-9:00 PM. 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. At Leisure: 9:00 PM-On -OR- Film Screening [Elective]: 9:15-10:45 PM. For the first four nights of the conference, there will be evening film screenings. The films will relate to the text or the era and may provide additional context about the novel.

DAY

3

Full Day of Lectures, Sale, Evening Lecture, Film Screening

Santa Cruz, CA

B,L,D

College Nine and John R. Lewis College Apartments

Activity note: 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.

Breakfast: 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.

Morning: 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.

Lunch: Lunch: 1:00-1:45 PM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall.

Afternoon: 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. Repeat Film Screening [Elective]: 2:00-4:00 PM. Repeat of Monday night’s screening. Field Trip [Elective]: 2:00-4:00 PM. A field trip led by a local expert will further enhance and enrich our day’s experience. Victorian Tea: 3:00-3:45 PM. Friends of the Dickens Project Board Members present afternoon tea service Monday-Thursday afternoons. Connect with other conference participants while enjoying hot tea and cold tea punch, home-baked cookies and fresh fruit. Talk: 4:00-5:00 PM. A Dickens Project Consortium faculty member or guest faculty member will present a talk about a topic that focuses on the Victorian era and may be adjacent to the novel. 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: Dinner: 6:15-7:00 PM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall.

Evening: 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. Lecture: 7:45-9:00 PM. 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. At Leisure: 9:00 PM-On -OR- Film Screening [Elective]: 9:15-10:45 PM. For the first four nights of the conference, there will be evening film screenings. The films will relate to the text or the era and may provide additional context about the novel.

DAY

4

No Evening Lecture, Early Film Screening

Santa Cruz, CA

B,L,D

College Nine and John R. Lewis College Apartments

Activity note: 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. Walking up to a mile around campus throughout the day between apartments, dining facilities, and lecture rooms.

Breakfast: 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.

Morning: 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.

Lunch: Lunch: 1:00-1:45 PM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall.

Afternoon: 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. Repeat Film Screening [Elective]: 2:00-4:00 PM. Repeat of Tuesday night’s screening. Field Trip [Elective]: 2:00-4:00 PM. A field trip led by a local expert will further enhance and enrich our day’s experience. Victorian Tea: 3:00-3:45 PM. Friends of the Dickens Project Board Members present afternoon tea service Monday-Thursday afternoons. Connect with other conference participants while enjoying hot tea and cold tea punch, home-baked cookies and fresh fruit. Talk: 4:00-5:00 PM. A Dickens Project Consortium faculty member or guest faculty member will present a talk about a topic that focuses on the Victorian era and may be adjacent to the novel. 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: Dinner: 6:15-7:00 PM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall.

Evening: At Leisure: 7:15 PM-On -OR- Early Film Screening [Elective]: 7:15-9:00 PM. For the first four nights of the conference, there will be evening film screenings. The films will relate to the text or the era and may provide additional context about the novel.

DAY

5

Last Day Afternoon Tea, Evening Entertainment, Grand Party

Santa Cruz, CA

B,L,D

College Nine and John R. Lewis College Apartments

Activity note: 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.

Breakfast: 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.

Morning: 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.

Lunch: Lunch: 1:00-1:45 PM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall.

Afternoon: 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. Repeat Film Screening [Elective]: 2:00-4:00 PM. Repeat of Wednesday night’s screening. Victorian Tea: 3:00-3:45 PM. Friends of the Dickens Project Board Members present afternoon tea service Monday-Thursday afternoons. Connect with other conference participants while enjoying hot tea and cold tea punch, home-baked cookies and fresh fruit. Talk: 4:00-5:00 PM. A Dickens Project Consortium faculty member or guest faculty member will present a talk about a topic that focuses on the Victorian era and may be adjacent to the novel. 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: Dinner: 6:15-7:00 PM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall.

Evening: 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. Entertainment: 7:45-9:00 PM. Our program was planned far in advance when details of the performance were not available. When confirmed, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in the preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Grand Party: 9:00-10:30 PM. The Friends of the Dickens Project will host a dessert party featuring home-baked pies, cakes, and a plethora of cheeses, crackers, nuts, and other tasty treats. Beer and wine are also served. This is a great time to connect with fellow conference attendees.

DAY

6

Usual morning activities, Auction, and Victorian Dance

Santa Cruz, CA

B,L,D

College Nine and John R. Lewis College Apartments

Activity note: 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: 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.

Morning: 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.

Lunch: 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.

Afternoon: 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: Dinner: 6:15-7:00 PM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall.

Evening: 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.

DAY

7

Departures After Breakfast

Santa Cruz, CA

B

Breakfast: Breakfast: 8:00-8:45 AM. The meal is served cafeteria-style at the dining hall. This concludes our program.

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