Arts and Sciences
Do you think that big “S” Science is at odds with, or separate from the Liberal Arts as a rule? Is physics the opposite of philosophy? What does art have to do with biology?
Of course, in the UHP, we believe in the traditional notion of liberal arts education. You can’t be a complete person without understanding both arts and science, and you can’t fully understand either without the other. Honors students aren’t the only ones who suspect this to be true. In this article from New Republic, Steven Pinker argues:
The mindset of science cannot be blamed for genocide and war and does not threaten the moral and spiritual health of our nation. It is, rather, indispensable in all areas of human concern, including politics, the arts, and the search for meaning, purpose, and morality.
What do you think? Is the scientific mindset beneficial to human growth, or does “scientism” hold us back from answering the big questions?
This post is written by UHP Program Officer Liz Sutton, who will be departing the UHP on Friday, August 2 for the nutty streets of Philadelphia. Off on new adventures. And the best way to do that is on a Vespa.
I’m not one for goodbyes, especially in this connected world of social media. I prefer looking forward to looking backward, laughter to tears. But in this moment, as I am slipping away in the summer months and saying goodbye to the Honors Community, I would like to reflect on the people and events that have made the past three years so memorable.
If you’ve sat in the front office, been in a group advising session, or ever read the blog, you know that the UHP is a place where we have FUN while still getting a lot done. Ryan Gosling, GoT, me riding an alligator… the hilarious photoshopping and memes never end. The perspective that theSocratic and the silly are not mutually exclusive is one of the things I enjoy most about the UHP, and it has shaped my own philosophy on the purpose and delivery of education.
I am grateful also for my smart and committed colleagues in the UHP. Each staff and faculty member brings unique perspective and skills to the table. It has been a joy presenting, conversing, and creating with such an interesting group of people. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and I count you all among my dearest and most fabulous friends.
Above all else, I adore and respect the students of the UHP. You have provided me with discussions, laughs, and challenges that have shaped me as an advisor and as a person. I appreciate your wide array of interests and personalities and the fervor with which each of you pursues your education. Working with you has never been just a job. You are the reason I come to work in the morning, the reason that working a registration weekend was never a problem, the inspiration that has kept me going in dark moments. For that I am eternally grateful.
It’s not easy making a big change, not easy to leave behind a lot of people who mean so much. But sometimes you have to take a leap, giving up comfort and normalcy to explore something potentially better. I gave myself the same advice I would give (or have given) to you all – take a deep breath and jump in.
My UHP gmail address is still valid: liz.sutton.gwuhp@gmail.com. I hope you will all keep in touch – while my official duties may be ending I will always be a resource and friend!
With love and gratitude,
Liz
The entire issue tends to vanish from public debate, because the educated, affluent people who run the debate don’t particularly suffer from it. Summer vacation costs money, but prosperous parents are happy to spend it on their kids. And of course there’s the sentimentality factor.
What do you think? School is important — should it go for all 12 months a year?
We’re sad to see you go, but before you pack up and head home, make sure to“Like” us on Facebook first! That way you’ll take the UHP back with you – along with the memories and photos from this year, and announcements for the upcoming years! You can also stay in touch with all of your Honors Program friends during the break. You may not be in class, but you’ll definitely still be on Facebook. Don’t start summer without us!
We know you’re going into finals & don’t have much time, so you should follow us on twitter where everything longer than 140 char’s is cut o ….
See how well that works? Follow us here.
Do you know what that means about tomorrow?
Honors students know that one of the first things to do in May is enjoy the Honors Student-Faculty Dinner! Have you purchased your ticket yet?
Alright, let’s read. As a member of the UHP’s intellectual community, junior program officer William Chandler offers book recommendations beyond your syllabi. Fans and followers of my book reviews can breathe a sigh of relief – Curious George gets better! I recently stomped and chewed on “Curious George and the Puppies Lap Edition” and enjoyed it thoroughly for its storytelling and its structural integrity. Continue reading “Baby William's Book Tasting: Curious George and the Puppies”
We’re not trying to say the world revolves around you. We’re very pro-heliocentricity. But! You can join us on Google+ to share your (undoubtedly brilliant) ideas, thoughts, comments, suggestions, and banter with us. In exchange, we’ll give you important dates, deadlines, information about internships, jobs, meals, and other cool stuff. Good deal all around, huh? Check it out here!
…and no, it’s not just because we’re geeks. It’s because (as the name Really Simple Syndication implies) it’s, well, really simple.
Step 1: Copy this link (or memorize and retype it, we don’t really care… although, typos are on you then): http://theuhp.wordpress.com/feed/ Step 2: Go to www.google.com/reader (or a feed reader of your choice). Step 3: Click subscribe, and input the link from step 1 into the box that pops up (or similar processes with other feed readers). Step 4: Enjoy getting UHP news delivered to your virtual doorstep.
Wasn’t that easy? Enjoy!
Take a look at this article over at the GW Hatchet about Honors students in Prof. Walter Reich’s “Holocaust Memory” course, and the body of work they have produced which is on display now.
From the article:
Undergraduates in the honors international affairs class Holocaust and Memory pieced together letters, timelines, telegrams and dreary, black-and-white photographs to dive inside the life of a Holocaust survivor. The exhibit opened last week.
…
“It is personalizing an event which is almost incomprehensible – which is really incomprehensible – the Holocaust,” Reich, a former director of the Holocaust Museum, said. “One of the things that can be learned is think of all the people who didn’t survive and what they could have contributed to the world.”
