Two Cultures

Upon first noting the idea of “Two Cultures” my own ethnicity came to mind.  Although I grew up in a stereotypical American household, I am also partially Indian.  Yet, at college today, my friends are more excited about eating Indian food or attending cultural events, like Holi, than I am.  Although they may appear to be two different cultures, both American and Indian identities are merged in both everyday society and me. 

Bollywood Bites in Westwood Village

http://dailybruin.com/2014/05/06/flavors-of-westwood-bollywood-bites-chef-owner-brings-vast-experience-to-table/

When I fully delved into the study of two distinct cultures, the ideas of C.P. Snow truly resonated with me.  Snow identified a progressively dividing culture between sciences and humanities that is perpetuated by the university system.  UCLA is a prominent illustration of this forced division. For example, in both location and aesthetically, the North and South campuses of UCLA represent the polarization of students into two distinct groups.  Bruinwalk, a clear line separating social science majors from science majors, geographically divides North and South Campus.  In addition, North Campus majors (housing the humanities and arts) are privy to the classical architecture resembling churches, South Campus (home to math and sciences) is known as the less visually appealing side of campus with it stark, office-like buildings. 

Top of Bruinwalk: Students can turn right to go to South Campus or left for North Campus

http://blog.admissi=ons.ucla.edu/2012/01/13/beginning-of-the-quarter-checklist/416529336_xfg9q-14/

Coming to UCLA, I took a path similar to the majority of my peers exceling in classes in both cultures. This appreciation traveled with me to college where I was able to take a few science classes along with the requirements needed for my political science major.   Yet, these few General Education classes outside my field left me with an education that was less well-rounded than the high school educations we all received.  Steven Pinker asserted that, “anyone speaking to the public about wide concern should be educated in both sciences and social sciences.” Similarly, speakers at the 50^th anniversary of CP Snow’s “Two Cultures” lecture presented that it is this very divide that is having negative effects on societal problems.  As a political science major, my future political career will involve both speaking to the public and attempting to solve the problems plaguing society. However with very few math or science courses under my belt, I am undereducated on some of the very tools I will need to respond to social issues. However, I will hopefully be able to effectively utilize the modern technology of the new “third culture” to bridge this gap. 

http://whyfiles.org/210political_science/3.html

Citations:

Vensa, Victoria. Two Cultures Lecture Part 3. UCOnline. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.

     <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FOEuxrwxd0>.

Pinker, Steven. SeedMagazine.com Steven Pinker. UCOnline. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Apr. 2016.

<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BUbVc7qVpg>

Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York: Cambridge UP, 1959. Print.

Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being In Between." Leonardo. 34 (2001): 121-125. Print.

Williams, Christopher M., comp. "A Dangerous Divide: The Two Cultures in the 21st Century." New York Academy of Sciences (2009): n. pag. Web. 3 Apr. 2016. <http://www.nyas.org/Publications/Ebriefings/Detail.aspx?cid=74e271bd-4ba6-47cd-8f0a-add2ef8234cd>.