Episode 54: Dr. James Mestaz on Humans, Water and the Humanities

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yeah, I Got a F#%*ing Job With a Liberal Arts Degree is a show that takes a deep look at the humanities and higher education more generally. Join professor of history and humanities Dean Jeff Crane as he interviews a range of guests about the value of the liberal arts and education as a personal and public good.This week's guest Dr. James Mestaz, Assistant Professor of History at Sonoma State University. His first book Strength from the Waters: A History of Indigenous Mobilization in Northwest Mexico is an Environmental and Ethnohistory that interrogates the historic connection between humans and water through the lens of the Mayo Indians of Sinaloa, Mexico and their changing interaction with their river system from the 1920s to 1970. His courses focus largely on the histories of marginalized groups, allowing students to draw connections between past and current social and environmental justice struggles. This approach fits into his commitment to linking students to grassroots and community organizations in both the U.S. and Latin America. James joined the show to discuss his research, pedagogy and current events around higher ed, including at his own institution of Sonoma State University, just a few hours away from us at Cal Poly Humboldt. You can purchase Strength Through the Waters here. And email James directly @ [email protected] if you want to purchase a signed copy directly from the author! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Music by Silverman Sound Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Yeah, I Got an F#%*ing Job with a Liberal Arts Degree is produced by Abigail Smithson