In response to Meghan’s Post-Interdisciplinary Studies:

I agree with you that it’s valuable for students to take interdisciplinary classes. I think it is beneficial in broadening a person’s education, but also for them to learn things in a different way. For me as a biology major, I was required to take an upper level class outside of my major, such as History of Authority. Unknowing that this class would be about medico-science, I was not very interested in having to take a class that would not pertain to what I wanted to study. But, now taking this class even though it does relate to things I enjoy learning about, it has also taught me to see things in a new way, which I find valuable. I think having CCC’s are important in a college institution because it does allow students to be forced to take a variety of classes and really learn about their interests and passions that they may not have realized before. Also, I think it provides a way for students to get out of their comfort zone in which they usually only study and focus on one subject.

-emothersell

Response to Meghan's post about Interdisciplinary Studies

I fully agree that Interdisciplinary Studies is an excellent way for multiple disciplines to combine their knowledge, experience and expertise to work toward a common goal. This allows people to escape the narrow views that some single fields can sometimes have and allow them to see things from multiple points of view and consider solutions from different angles and points of view.

I disagree that this would be confusing if introduced to college classes; I think it's an excellent way to teach students to look at things from different points of view, as well as to allow students to "dabble" in different fields in case they don't quite know what they want to major in.

Having an interdisciplinary major in graduate school has been an excellent experience so far. It has allowed me to view things from not only a women's & gender studies perspective, but also cross reference with English, Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, and Biology. It's so interesting to see how these fields interact and work together surrounding the topics I am interested in studying, and I feel as though it makes me more well rounded and prepared in my field.

Studying in an interdisciplinary field also works to fight against the institution of school itself, in a way, because it goes against norms and breaks down traditional views of doing things. Many other fields have risen out of interdisciplinary studies, and they are very legitimate.

Brain Size

Last class was extremely interesting to me during the discussion of brain size. Apparently, size does not matter, to finally answer that question. I guess the most important part of that discussion to me was how simple it was to explain why women's brains are smaller, and how easily it could be mentioned. I feel like if everyone knew that it was because of biological and chemical reason during pregnancy, everyone would understand. I guess what I'm hinting at is that, we never really do figure out why certain facts are true. Whenever I hear an interesting fact, I just remember what I heard, and never look into it. It's kind of a reflection on what today's like. People will hear information, but never truly look into it, unless it applies directly to themselves. Either way, that was interesting to me, and I really enjoyed the rest of the discussion from last class.

Interdisciplinary Studies

In class, we briefly touched upon the idea of interdisciplinary studies as a part of studying neuroscience and culture. The neurocultural manifesto emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, but as many of us agreed, it is difficult to get scientists to recognize the value of integrating other perspectives and disciplines into their field of study. However, reading the two articles for tuesday's class were both interesting and intriguing in considering how neurocultural perspectives need to be more pronounced in the field of study.

Personally, I feel that interdisciplinary studies are both valuable and provide a place for discovery. We discussed the changes in gen. ed. courses that is supposed to be coming about for a more interdisciplinary approach. Although some mentioned this may become confusing, and I don't completely disagree, I do believe though that these kind of classes could be extremely beneficial for students who don't know what they want to do or are looking for a major.

In my experience, having an interdisciplinary studies minor in women and gender studies, I have gained so much knowledge and experience in all different types of classes and subjects. However, I still have my Psychology major that has provided me with a direct and focused study of one subject that is important to most college students completion of a degree. I wish that the value of interdisciplinary studies in trying to figure out one's place in college was emphasized more because it really helped me to figure out where my true interests and passions lie as an individual. I think that this is more important than the degree that I receive at graduation, but rather that I know what I have truly gained as a person from my college experience. Overall, being a part of the interdisciplinary program of women and gender studies altered my experience at college and maybe if more areas like it existed other people would be able to feel this same way.

Brain Differences

I found yesterday's discussion to be very interesting in that most of the class didn't see that the size of the brain effected brain function.  In school we are not shown a female brain and a male brain, we are just shown a brain.  I don't think that education now is set up in a way where we are taught these gender differences in brain size.  Saying that women can't do something because they have a smaller brain size is ridiculous.  Birds, which have a very small brain can fly.  Humans cannot.  If we had the physical attributes to fly but the same brain, we would not be able to fly because that part of our brain is not developed.  I think sexists like to use the brain size as an excuse.  I was told two years ago that I should not be able to vote.  I didn't ask questions but I am quite sure that it was because I was a women and most likely not intelligent enough to make my own decisions.  Attributing brain size and intelligence together is ridiculous and an out dated theory.  Neuroscientists should take into account the effect of culture on the brain because the brain is not just a scientific being.  From day 1 on the earth we are being influenced by our surrounding and if they forget this, they are leaving out a huge part of how we develop and how we turn out as people.  There should be a balance between culture and biology when researching the brain.  I don't know how this should be achieved because I don't know enough about either subject, but they should work together to reach an appropriate balance. 

Size of the Brain

Yesterday in class we talked about how womens brain are smaller then mens. I personally do not think that matters. I have heard that many times and not once did I ever think oh that must mean men are smarter or oh I guess I should stop doing this because men are smarter anyway. I think its interesting that some would think that just because the womens brain is smaller then men that they cant do what ever you want. I find the study about the face and mobile is very interesting because how can you tell the child is not just looking at either one and not just staring into space. 

Sex Differences, Neuroculture and Educators/Schools

For class on 4/18 we had to read two articles: "Picking Barbie's brain: Inherent Sex Differences in Scientific Ability?" and "Neocultures Manifesto".  The former concluded that there are no inherent biological differences between the two sixes while the later advocates for a critical approach to considering research and issues relating to neuroscience and the brain. While the first article is by no means definitive evidence that there are no absolutely no biological differences between the sexes, it certainly follows that assuming there is a biological difference between the sexes is wrong. The second article reinforces the need for all of us to approach research and cultural norms on sex differences with a critical and unbiased viewpoint.

I think this holds especially true for teachers. In class Tuesday we spent a period of time discussing the role of educators in shaping children and their views on disability. In particular the point was made that the education department here at SUNY Fredonia emphasizes that teachers should treat all pupils as equal, regardless of gender, disability, or any other categorization. I think that that is wonderful and shows that positive progress is being made towards a balanced, unbiased view on various issues like disability and gender. The following documentary, created for this year's Disability Awareness Week, in part highlights the successes and failures of schools in dealing with people with disabilities.