Unit 1 | Two Cultures

The idea of Two Cultures, put together by C.P. Snow in the mid-1950s, brought to light the growing gap between the relationship of art and science, when in reality, the two should have a mutually beneficial relationship.This prompted many new ideas, including the creation of a “Third Culture,” by John Brockman that supported the combination of the two.

The gap described by Snow is apparent in UCLA, shown by the names of "North Campus Majors," generally relating to all classes associated with the humanities, and "South Campus Majors," generally relating to all classes associated with science, STEM, etc. Because of this growth and the naturally perceived alienation, given by the names, many students rarely view the two converging at all. However, I agree with John Brockman’s statements on the “Third Culture.” One statement that stood out to me that refuted this inherent separation was when Professor Vesna reiterated the idea that those who subscribe to the idea that they are “right brain” or “left brain” oriented, feed into a cycle where they unconsciously block themselves off from being an artistic or scientific person, when in fact each person is able to express their own form of creativity. (Vesna, 14:00) This is a good statement, in the sense that it shows that the combination gives way to this “third culture” where science and art coexist. 

Personally, these ideas have taken up space in my mind, especially during my college applications. I always saw myself as a math/science person, and have seen a sudden interest in the field of neuroscience. At the same time, I was slowly coming to appreciate my high school humanities classes more and more, writing and literary analysis to be specific. When deciding to pick my major, I was at a crossroad; I did not want to abandon my interest in either academic pursuit. I was extremely satisfied to find the Anthropology Bachelor of Science Major because the curriculum not only allowed, but required me to venture into college level humanity classes, while at the same time following my interest in science. While I have only taken core classes toward the major, I can foresee only benefit in taking this mixed curriculum of classes, ultimately getting a deep, well-rounded education that allows me to view my surroundings in a different light.

In order to try and replicate this same thought all throughout campus, Professor Vesna in her "Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between" and the "Changing Education Paradigms" video argue to change how students' education is structured. I agree with the sentiments echoed in the sources, from stopping the alienation of the class, and interconnecting them from the start.

Vesna. “TwoCultures part1.” YouTube, 30 Mar. 2012, youtu.be/VNI7dF3DIAM. 

Vesna. “TwoCultures pt2.” YouTube, 31 Mar. 2012, youtu.be/GUr4xxZ_0gw. 

“RSA ANIMATE: Changing Education Paradigms.” YouTube, 14 Oct. 2010, youtu.be/zDZFcDGpL4U. 

Vesna, Victoria. “Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between.” Leonardo, vol. 34, no. 2, 2001, pp. 121–125. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/1577014. Accessed 2 Apr. 2021.

Snow, C. P. (Charles Percy), 1905-1980. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York :Cambridge University Press, 1959.