LV Life

Core requirements influence minds

Dr. Sharon Davis, professor of sociology and her teaching partner, Professor of English Catherine Henley-Erickson, lead a discussion in the new Popular Culture and the Human Condition course which deals with study of modern culture and its icons. In the discussion featuring the cultural aspects of "Batman and Robin" on Tuesday, Henley-Erickson and Dr. Davis left the floor open to junior Dyane Galindo, freshman Manuel Escalante and sophomore Jennifer Cuevas, who offered their opinions on the connotations behind the story. / photos by Scott Harvey
Dr. Sharon Davis, professor of sociology and her teaching partner, Professor of English Catherine Henley-Erickson, lead a discussion in the new Popular Culture and the Human Condition course which deals with study of modern culture and its icons. In the discussion featuring the cultural aspects of “Batman and Robin” on Tuesday, Henley-Erickson and Dr. Davis left the floor open to junior Dyane Galindo, freshman Manuel Escalante and sophomore Jennifer Cuevas, who offered their opinions on the connotations behind the story. / photos by Scott Harvey

by Alicia Gibson
Assistant Managing Editor

Two core classes, in particular that are part of the new general education requirement, have received much attention from the University of La Verne’s diverse student body.

The first is a one-unit core class known as International/ Intercultural Experience. There are several sections of this class offered each semester.

International/Intercultural Experience is a course which focuses on experiencing other cultures and evaluates what to expect in those different cultures. Though the class meets only five times during the semester, the work is done on an individual basis in the outside world.

Students enrolled are required to spend 15 hours with a culture other than their own. Several different ways in which students spend time within other cultures is at restaurants, films, books, plays, festivals, Indian reservations, and any other way they choose.

Students are also asked to write journal entries about each event attended throughout the semester.

A final project incorporates relevant concepts that the class deals with, and students later apply those concepts to what was learned from their own experiences of other cultures.

Many students have taken a liking to this course, primarily because it is personally designed for the student.

“It is a fun course. Everyone designs their own activities and picks their own cultures,” said Gerard Lavatori, associate professor of French and a section teacher.

According to Lavatori, the International/Intercultural Experience is also a fun class for a professor to teach.

“It is interesting to see people respond to the other cultures,” Lavatori said.

The second core course is new to curriculum as of the current semester. It was designed and is taught by a team of Kathy Henley-Erickson, professor of English, and Dr. Sharon Davis, professor of sociology.

This three-unit course is called Popular Culture and the Human Condition, and it covers many aspects of the human condition, housing, clothing, movies, television and toys.

The course is designed to look at things that try to integrate images which are around all the time, yet are just taken for granted. Students deal with the obvious and subtle influences which occur in the world around them.

The fulfillment of a number of text readings in which students apply theory to their own lives, five formal writings, course assignments, field trips, and a midterm and final are required to complete the course.

One field trips requires students to participate in a trip to the movie theater to watch “Primary Colors.” Another requests that students take the Metrolink, as a group, to downtown Los Angeles in order to tour the city and eat lunch at a popular cafe. Included in the Los Angeles excursion are a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

Students of Popular Culture and the Human Condition course are also divided into committees in order to do a media watch.

Each student is responsible of investigating a different facet of the media; after reviewing that particular area, the student must then report back to the class for discussion.

Thus far, the new CORE class has received great reviews from both its professors and its students.

“I certainly enjoy the topic [Popular Culture and the Human Condition] because it is around us,” said Dr. Davis.

In regards to working with Dr. Davis in the classroom, Henley-Erickson said, “I enjoy Sharon, and we are learning a lot from the students.”

Alicia Gibson, Assistant Managing Editor
Alicia Gibson
Other Stories
Scott Harvey, Assistant Sports Editor
Scott Harvey
Other Stories
Previous article
LVPD investigates Tuesday night Oaks brawl
Next article
Comedian jokes, mocks La Verne

Latest Stories

Related articles

News

La Verne students and faculty have mixed feelings about gradeless option

While some University of La Verne students think first semester freshmen should be able to take all of their classes pass/fail, or ungraded, the majority responding to an informal survey said they prefer letter grades for all. 
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

As a graduate of the University of La Verne and an adjunct professor here for the past 26 years, I would like to express my opinions regarding certain issues I feel are important to the University.
News

Natural science students present research

Dozens of students presented their senior research findings to other students, faculty and staff at the Natural Science Division’s Research Conference and Reception on May 15 in the Campus Center Ballroom.
News

Faculty grapple with AI’s increasing ubiquity

Artificial intelligence, with its rapid development and increasingly easy access the past few years, has crept into the college classroom, causing many within and outside of education to question what this may mean for the future.