The Undergraduate History Showcase is an annual event held each spring that recognizes the exceptional research conducted by UC Santa Cruz history undergraduates. In addition, a history alumnus delivers a keynote address in which they expound on the valuable career skills they acquired by majoring in history.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

I. Student Presentations – 2:00-2:45 PM

II. Keynote Address – 3:00-3:30 PM
“History! What is it good for?” by Brian Mathias Photo

Brian Mathias
Attorney & Constitutional Law Fellow
This talk will explore how a background in history and the historical method is applied to the practice of law and everyday life.

Brian Mathias is a 2008 UCSC European History major graduate, a local attorney, and a Constitutional Law Fellow at the Monterey College of Law.

III. Student Presentations – 3:40-4:30 PM

*Light refreshments to be provided. This event is free and open to everyone!

Brian Mathias is a 2008 UC Santa Cruz European History major graduate, a local attorney, and a Constitutional Law Fellow at the Monterey College of Law.

Brian has always had a strong interest in history, biographies, and geography beginning as a young boy. However, his passion for history grew exponentially as a freshman when he took “Medieval Europe” taught by Professor Cynthia Polecritti. This was the first of five Italian and European History courses that Brian took from Professor Polecritti. Brian’s history background inspired him to complete his degree in the medieval city of Göttingen, Germany.

Brian has continued his independent study of history after graduation, studying in-depth his own genealogy, Christianity, Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, and most recently Simon Bolivar.

Brian’s talk, “History! What is it good for?” will discuss how a background in history and the historical method is applied to the practice of law and everyday life.