USC Dornsife News

History has taught us that in times of crisis, our desire for easy solutions makes us vulnerable to charlatans — but beware, their seductive quick fixes will not lead us to a lasting and genuine revival. [10 min read time]

Mexico played an important role in helping escaped slaves find freedom and in shaping the United States Civil War, argues Alice Baumgartner, a member of the USC Society of Fellows in the Humanities, headquartered at USC Dornsife. [4¾ min read]

The human biology major says USC’s interdisciplinary outlook and short-term international programs changed his entire career trajectory.

Provost Postdoctoral Scholar Stephanie Balkwill studies the ideal of female-to-male sex change within Buddhism, focusing on the women and religious texts of 5th-century China.

Hailed as a sci-fi capital, Los Angeles has long served as an inspiration and backdrop for some of the best science fiction ever produced in literature or film. A conference organized by William Deverell of history and David Ulin of English explores the city’s profound and complex relationship with the genre.

Faculty members mentor postdoctoral researchers joining the university’s new Society of Fellows in the Humanities, advancing research and intellectual exchange within academia.

Poet and former chair of the National Endowment for the Arts Dana Gioia teaches in USC Dornsife’s English department. His unusual path includes a post as a marketing executive for General Foods, leading the team that created Jell-O Jigglers.