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By EMILY HIGGINBOTHAM Staff Writer
Some students at Saint Louis University might see the core curriculum as a requirement that they have to fill. After every general education class completed, they check off a box and move on to the next course. Students might even hear academic advisors tell them to take these classes early on in their collegiate career, in order to ‘get them out of the way.’ The problem of the student’s mentality toward the core curriculum as an obligation, rather than an opportunity, was one of the issues an interdisciplinary panel, -including faculty teachers representing several departments within the College of Arts and Sciences- discussed on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 10, in the Loyola room of Jesuit Hall. The panelists: Anneke Bart, mathematics; Dan Finucane, theological studies; Jan McIntire-Strasburg, English; Jennifer Popiel, history; Ed Sabin, psychology; and Rob Wood, biology; gave their opinions and ideas on what the College can do to change the undergraduate students’ perception of the core and how they can deliver it more cohesively to the students. “Our students don’t really
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understand how our courses in the core work together,” said McIntire-Strasburg. The disconnection between the core courses and the students became a major theme throughout the panel. “We are less about educating and more about credentialing, making someone qualified for something. That’s not the only job of a university,” said McIntireStrasburg. “The only way we can get students to realize that, is if we demonstrate how courses work together, how disciplines work together.” McIntire-Strasburg has put this idea of interdisciplinary learning into action with fellow professor, Greg Beabout from the philosophy department, who also acted as the moderator for the panel. McIntire-Strasburg and Beabout have been coteaching the course ‘Ethical Leaders in Business’ for the past two years. The professors give the students assignments that work in tandem with writing and philosophy, while also going on field trips, so that students see classroom material at work. The panel also discussed the number of adjunct professors teaching core classes, See “Core” on Page 3
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The battle for February 14th
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Activities mark a convergence of faith traditions
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Hinduism higlighted: During the inaugural event of a week dedicated to SLU’s Hindu community, students gather to participate in an informative session on the faith. By JACQUI STACHIW Staff Writer
For many St. Louis University students, Hinduism might seem unfamiliar and even unusual. With a predominantly Caucasian population, some students have never been exposed to other cultures or religions. However, Hinduism Awareness Week, hosted by the Hindu Students Community, is at-
tempting to break through that barrier. Hinduism Awareness Week is a week out of the year when the Hindu Students Community hosts daily events, covering many aspects of Hinduism. Many, like Chandan Yashraj, hope people will educate themselves on Hinduism and its many faces and styles of practice. On Monday, Feb. 9, the
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SGA: Student groups garnered legislative focus, while later discussion fixated on the Clock Tower Accords.
Topics addressed during the Student Government Association’s meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 11, highlighted student accomplishments and current conversations around campus. The bulk of discussion centered on four bills. The first was an appeal by the Asian American Association (AAA) to fund their transportation, lodging and registration for the Midwest Asian American Student Union Conference at the University of WisconsinMadison. The conference enables Asian American students to interact with Asian American leaders. “The Asian American culture is one that’s really new to the United States,
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Hinduism: Raising campus awareness
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so it’s really difficult to find,” said the AAA representative. “This is one of the few opportunities that we have to experience this unique learning opportunity…we want to go to this conference and bring something back to SLU.” Next, SLU’s chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers requested funding for their flights, lodgings and registration to a regional competition on circuit design, ethics and robotics in New Orleans from April 17-19. Eight SLU engineering students will participate and present papers. The evening’s third bill would grant full-charter status to the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). The organization’s mission,
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recited in unison by the three student speakers and various affiliates seated around the room, “is to increase the number of culturally responsible, black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” Founded in 1975 at Perdue University, NSBE comprises over 30,000 national members and aims toward the recruitment and retention of African-American engineers. SLU’s NSBE chapter president, senior Brittany Kendrick, cited the “minimal amount of minorities represented” at Parks College as the organization’s primary motivation for existence on campus. Citing an alignment with SLU’s mission, the presenters outlined the society’s three tiers of academic suc-
cess, professional development and community service. The final bill of the evening de-chartered the Dumbledore’s Army, SLU’s Harry Potter fan group, due to consistent declines in membership in past years. As the legislative portion of the meeting drew to a close, conversation turned to current controversy surrounding a proposed statue related to the Clock Tower Accords that marked the end of Occupy SLU last October. SGA president Ann Knezetic devoted several minutes to clarification. “There hasn’t been a final decision about the design, or what that will See “SGA” on Page 3
group hosted a panel where three executive members of the Hindu Students Community spoke about their experiences with religion. Yashraj, who was on the panel, said, “I was on the student panel… where I talked about my experiences [of ] being a follower of Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, who is a female spiritual leader from India.” Known as throughout the world as
Amma, she has devoted her life to alleviate the suffering of the poor. For Yashraj, being able to talk about her beliefs and experiences with Amma was, “such a beautiful opportunity.” In addition to the panel, the group hosted “Deities on Tuesday,” where the group hosted fun activities to educate students about “The Hindu Pantheon”. “The Hindu Pantheon” was a book written by Edward Moor that was intended to be an introduction to Hinduism for an English audience. The significance of the book cannot be overstated, which is why the Hindu Students Community focused on it. On Wednesday, Feb. 11, the group put on a classical dance night. Attendees learned steps to different styles of typical Indian dance, as well the religious significance behind the moves. However, sophomore Brenda Suhan is looking forward to the upcoming events most. “I am excited about Thursday [Feb. 12] because the group is hosting yoga, which is something I really enjoy. Mixing learning and exercise is… great, and I am See “Hinduism” on Page 3
Culture with RHA By KYLIE JENSEN Contributor
Among college students, it goes without saying that Friday afternoons are reserved for nap time. However, on Friday, Feb. 6, the SLU Residence Hall Association gave more than 100 students a reason to forego their midday siesta by hosting Cultural PM. This three-part event celebrated the diversity on campus by showcasing the many cultures and talents represented at SLU. For the first part of the event, students got the chance to talk with representatives from the InSLUsivity campaign, the Residence Hall Association and
the Interfaith Alliance club. As more people trickled into the event, some were asked what inSLUsivity means to them. Matt Ramsey said that being inSLUsive is part of being a Billiken. RHA collected a wide scope of responses including: being inSLUsive means celebrating our differences, accepting each other and following the Oath of Inclusion. Throughout the afternoon, people continued to have open dialogues about being inSLUsive, the Oath and diversity on SLU’s campus. Interfaith Alliance representatives also fostered See “RHA” on Page 3
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