ASCI 1001H: Arts and Science I: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
Oh arts and science. What I initially came into university for. Now I can fully and loudly say that the reason I applied and came to Trent for an Arts and Science degree is because I had no idea what I really wanted to study. Being in this class made me realize that I was looking for something general, and nothing was more general than this class.
I hated it. I would leave class not understanding what I had learned that day. “What was today’s topic? What are my takeaways?”. I don’t know, couldn’t tell you. Unfortunately, probably one of my least enjoyed classes of my university career (but not the worst – that was Social Work). It wasn’t for lack of an engaging and bright professor or stimulating discussion with classmates. It had all the ingredients for a good class, I just don’t think I was the correct chef. This class made me realize I need something that I can sink my teeth into, I need the fleshy content of a topic that has breadth and width with a focus. Sometimes in this room I just felt like I was looking across a horizon with no end – everything and nothing to discuss all at the same time.
Although not enjoyed, this class was so beneficial in obviously pointing out to be that this is not what I want to do for my next four years. I saw the class to completion but did not take the natural step to Arts & Science 2 the following semester. This class is what drove me to choose a specific topic for focus: Psychology.
Rose, Thorn, Rosebud
Rose: I did a very artsy final project that discussed the experiences of females in sport. Specifically, I pulled quotes from my rugby team and wrote them out on a rugby ball – that ball was displayed in Bata library for a few weeks (and I didn’t collect the ball until my third year!). Also really enjoyed the professor – Jessica Marion Barr, even if I didn’t enjoy the content.
Thorn: Too general, I didn’t leave classes feeling fulfilled like I had learned something. The horizon of the class was too broad and seemed to encompass everything the light touched.
Rosebud: Helped me to realize that arts and science was not my jam – and that’s okay! Propelled me to focus and think about what I was really interested in and enjoyed learning about.
