Week 1- Two Cultures


I enjoyed the Lecture on “Two cultures” more specifically in learning about the difference in science and art.  I did not consider myself particularly artsy or scientific with a big passion for sport. However coming to UCLA I found a passion for both the arts/humanities and science in the particular field of psychology.  I have found there is a combination of both cultures within this degree one being that the psychology buildings sit pretty far south within the science world of campus, with many different scientific research components however there is intellectual thinking along with a creative process to the degree. The intertwining of both these cultures in this specific degree allows me to live within the third culture. C.P Snow introduces the third culture is the attempt to bridge the gap between the humanities and science, most evident within universities.
One of the many reasons for this is because the education system allows artists to access different components of the scientific world like scholars and technologies.  This has played a role within my degree being able to use different scientific research methods and technologies such as statistical programing for classes. Although there is evidence of some humanities within the psychology degree it being a “human behavioural science” I only have had a few humanities/ arts experiences at UCLA.
I know this because of the layout of UCLA campus. The frequent question if you’re a south side major or on north side of campus is great evidence of the cultural gap between arts and science within the education system.  I have only experienced a few classes on north campus- the art side.  However my experience there was wonderful, it is such a beautiful side of campus, the sculpture garden is one example of how this side of campus encapsulates the artistic culture. A place where like-minded people can sit and enjoy the beauty technology missed with nature.
However where I spend most of my time is the court of sciences, a concrete courtyard, which is surrounded by many technology advanced and architecturally new buildings. The contrast between the north side and south side campus is strange to me as colleges boast about giving great opportunities and being “diverse” however most students that come to UCLA get stuck within a major not experiencing all the different experiences. The “two cultural” aspect of our social lives is very evident within the UCLA campus today.
Sources:
Burrows, Brianna. “What is the difference between a bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Sciences?” Study USA, https://studyusa.com/en/a/1241/what-is-the-difference-between-a-bachelor-of-arts-and-a-bachelor-of-sciences.

OConnor, Christopher. “Psychology’s Dilemma.” Mental health resources, OConnor Professional group, https://oconnorpg.com/psychologys-dilemma/.

“Home.” UCLA Interactive Campus Map, University of California, Los Angeles, maps.ucla.edu/.

“Murphy Sculpture garden and coral tree walk” UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, http://www.tft.ucla.edu/facilities/murphy-sculpture-garden-coral-tree-walk/.


“What are the Differences Between a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology?” Online Psychology degrees, https://www.online-psychology-degrees.org/faq/what-are-the-differences-between-a-bachelor-of-arts-and-a-bachelor-of-science-in-psychology/.

Comments

  1. Teagan MicahApril 8, 2018 at 9:31 PM

    Hi Bronte,

    Great post, I too am a Psychology major and find that I am living in the third culture which C.P Snow mentions. I never really thought about the divide between having most classes on the south campus, yet being able to participate in a couple of the arts classes to broaden our horizons. I liked your comparison of the sculpture garden to the typical south campus concrete jungle. It shows clear evidence that there is a divide between the two cultures of the science and the arts which decreases ones chances of experiencing the full college experience.

    - Teagan Micah

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownApril 9, 2018 at 8:32 AM

    Bronte, I agree with everything you said. I think it is very special that you have the opportunity to live within the "third culture," because it is one of the only majors at this school which allows for that. I am interested in the Psychology major because of that and I think it is cool that you get to explore both the arts and the sciences and see how they connect. Thank you for sharing!

    -Lexi

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 3- Art + Robotics

Image
This weeks material was interesting as it not only focused on how robotics and art influence each other in the present day, but the lectures informed us on how the technological changes from the industrial revolution have also influenced this. Technology and mass production is what has helped the invention of jobs, making differing objects and making ideas available to larger audiences leading to new discoveries in today’s world. In Lecture Part 1, Professor discusses the printing press and how its invention created the ability for information to be transmitted rapidly.   This allowed for mass production of information from brilliant minds to transmit their knowledge around the world and thus                   A robotic assembly line  changed the way we today transmit our knowledge. What I find most interesting about in industrial revolution and the way it changed our world is the assembly line.   Professor discussed this in short but how I see it is the technological advances like
Read more

Event 3- Weak or No Signal

Image
For my last event I thought I would do something on campus at UCLA and incorporate everything I’ve learnt over the quarter.   I attended Weak or No Signal, a UCLA design Media Arts final MFA showcase of the graduate’s works of 2018.   The exhibition was showcased at the New Wight gallery at UCLA’s Broad Art Center, May 17 th until Mat 31 st . I attended the event on Thursday 24 th . I had never been to The New Wight display center, but I believe the showcased was displayed in the perfect location on campus. The doors of the Center opened right out onto the sculpture garden of UCLA campus.   This is really interesting as I had incorporated the sculpture garden for my very first blog of the quarter and enjoyed revisiting for my last blog so I really enjoyed attending this event as I felt it tied in all of the aspects of the things we have learnt this quarter.   As stated in the pamphlet of the show it “ articulated contemporary subject matters, from hyper-mediated social relationsh
Read more

Event 2- Museum of Jurassic Technology

Image
I am pictured in the middle with glasses on, with my other DESMA 9 friends with me For my second event I attended the museum of Jurassic technology on a Saturday afternoon. My eyes were opened to all the weird and wonderful technological advances our world has gone through since the Jurassic period. The museum was really strange to me, it was in the middle of century city and had a very small entrance/ was very noticeable to anyone walking or driving past. However once you step foot into the museum you’re complete taken into another period in time.   It is a very oddly laid out building with many hallways, corridors and small rooms, which worked to its advantage I think. In a way I’m sure many people miss some of the rooms on display in the museum however every room, corridor or hallway was based on a different exhibit. The one interesting thing about the museum is there is not phones, photography or video allowed near the exhibits. I think this is a smart move by the museum becau
Read more