TWO CULTURES: ARTS AND SCIENCE

Catalog description

Open only to juniors and seniors.The course will look at a number of different issues from the perspective of the cultural divide that was exposed by C. P. Snow. First we will examine the postulated rift from a historical standpoint and look at the state of the divide today. The course will look at a number of issues from the perspective of the sciences and the humanities. Some of the topics to be explored include: the environment (nature), religion, human relationships, music, and the visual arts. Students will learn how scientist and artists view these issues, and will be expected to be able to "see" from both perspectives. The class will be heavily discussion oriented with a number of short writing assignments (some in class and some homework). There will also be student projects focused around specific issues that will result in papers and class presentations.Faculty: C. FARINA, T. HARESIGN