Relating to the frustratingly constant and reliable doubts that some students feel toward their majors, is an article from the Wall Street Journal discussing the choice of field. Their claim is that mathematics and science majors are relatively popular – until of course, students realize ‘what they are in for’. Here is an excerpt:
The researchers found that while math and science majors drew the most interest initially, not many students finished with degrees in those subjects. More students dropped out of math and science majors and fewer students switched into them than any other area of study, including professional programs, social sciences, humanities and business.
The survey results also showed that the students who dropped out didn’t do so because they discovered an unexpected amount of the work. In fact, students who expressed interest initially anticipated more work than other majors.
The students switched out because they were dissatisfied with their grades. “Students knew science was hard to begin with, but for a lot of them it turned out to be much worse than what they expected,” said Todd R. Stinebrickner, one of the paper’s authors. “What they didn’t expect is that even if they work hard, they still won’t do well.”
Compare this to the ideas presented here in our recent post on the English major.
What do you think – in your experiences as students, have you naturally expected effort to give the expected results? When might it not?
Isaac Asimov. The man, the mind, the side burns. Undoubtedly one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time. And also, wonderfully, an old BU professor of biochemistry who left Mugar library a vast collection of manuscripts, notebooks, letters, etc. This is a man of almost endless abilities who surprises us with every fact we learn about him. Did you know, for example, that he wrote a guide to reading Shakespeare?
Considering Asimov´s incredible output, it may come as no surprise to learn that he’s written much more than just sci-fi. In fact, he’s the only sci-fi writer in history to have been published in nine out of ten major categories of the Dewey Decimal Classification, which organizes library materials by discipline or field of study. Some of his other works include The Intelligent Man’s Guide to Science, Extraterrestrial Civilizations and Asimov’s Guide to Shakespeare. Now that’s what you call a real renaissance man’s workload.
This and six other reasons from this article from the blog ink Tank establish reasons Asimov is not just a great, but the great. The best of all the science fiction writers, the best of more than just science fiction writing.
But what do you think scholar? Is there someone else who deserves this title more? Let us know below!
Practical and theoretical research continues, and many national governments and military funding agencies support quantum computing research to develop quantumcomputers for both civilian and national security purposes, such as cryptanalysis.
Nothing's better than a good old throwback: something that's proved itself as timeless but still evokes feelings of a different time. A good old 60's sheaf dress, afros, black and white films, even books. Who can't say they love Hemingway at least in part (a big part) because 1920s Paris sounds divine. And if you say reading Austen hasn't made you want to wear empire waists till your heart fell out, you're lying. Just look how happy they are. Tell us you don't want to be that happy!
Some more recent examples might surprise you though. This Whizzpast post lists 10 books from 70's that are still loved today (despite being fourty years old). Some are surprising (Watership Downs is fourty? Fourty!?! Those bunnies just don't seem like they're that old)
Some of the books are unknown though, and that seems even more interesting. Just read the description of Invisible Cities: Marco Polo spins tall tales about imaginary cities to Kublai Khan, as we slowly realise that all along, he’s talking about one city, Venice. Here in the twenty-first century, we’ve come out the far side of postmodern experimentation, and so we think we’re better placed to appreciate Calvino’s textual experimentation and narrative innovation.
Who doesn't want to read that? (and it would bring us so neatly into the world of second year Core doesn't it seem?)
So have you read any of the books on this list? Are there any you think are missing? Let us know!
Memory is a strange beast. Something can live in the memory for years with barely a trace left. Then, suddenly, it comes back in waves -- floods, really -- at the slightest touch. Something we never could have expected or prevented. This short story by Daniel Hudon (someone who, until recently, lectured and taught for the Core Curriculum) captures just such a moment in which such a memory is revealed. A short film festival, completely innocuous. Except it isn't. Something that simple can bring an entire person to life, at least temporarily.
So go ahead, take a read. Let us know what you think. Too much or just the right amount? I've posted the first bit to get you started:
The Onion rarely fails to deliver... this time it is their excellent twist on Dante's Inferno which has caught the Core's attention. All those who remember CC102's Dantean struggles will appreciate this. Here is an extract:
CITY OF DIS, NETHER HELL–After nearly four years of construction at an estimated cost of 750 million souls, Corpadverticus, the new 10th circle of Hell, finally opened its doors Monday.
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"A nightmarishly large glut of condemned spirits in recent years necessitated the expansion of Hell," inferno spokesperson Antedeus said. "The traditional nine-tiered system had grown insufficient to accommodate the exponentially rising numbers of Hellbound."
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"In the past, the underworld was ill-equipped to handle the new breed of sinners flooding our gates–downsizing CEOs, focus-group coordinators, telemarketing sales representatives, and vast hordes of pony-tailed entertainment-industry executives rollerblading and talking on miniaturized cell-phones at the same time. But now, we've finally got the sort of top-notch Pits of Doom necessary to give such repellent abominations the quality boilings they deserve."
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Among the tortures the Corpadverticus Circle of Total Bastards boasts: the Never-Ending Drive-Thru Bank, the Bottomless Pit of Promotional Tie-In Keychains, and the dreaded Chamber of Emotionally Manipulative Home Shopping Network Products.
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His face contorted in the Misery of the Damned, a Disney lawyer said: "It's hell here–there are no executive lounges, I can't get any decent risotto, and the suit I have to wear is a cheap Brooks Brothers knock-off. I'm beeped every 30 seconds, and there's no way to return the calls. Plus, I'm being boiled upside down in lard while jackals gnaw at the soles of my feet. If I could just reach the fax machine on that nearby rock, I could contact some well-placed associates and work something out, but it's just out of my grasp, and it's out of ink and constantly blinking the message, 'Replace Toner Cartridge, Replace Toner Cartridge, Replace Toner Cartridge.'"
Alumna Kathy Pereda (Core '06, CAS '08) is currently a Clinical Research Assistant in the Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island. She is also an avid volleyball player and Zumba instructor. When we invited her to the Fall 2013 Core reception during Alumni Weekend, she wrote to let us know she wasn't able to make it this time around, but went on to reminisce about her time in Core:
"I will never forget the wonderful knowledge I acquired in the Core program, especially from Prof. Nelson who I had the pleasure of taking for both Core and for Greek History. My classes with her made my experience at BU as a biology major that much more memorable. And if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be re-listening and re-appreciating Dante's Divine Comedy in the form of audiobooks during my commute to work, as well as other incredible works of literature.
"Thank you all for the wonderful teachings!"
Do you want to reconnect with Core, or share some Core memories? Write to EnCore, the Core alumni association, at corealum@bu.edu, or join their Facebook group.
Related to Prof. Roochnik's CC101 lecture on Plato and maths, is a post from Gizmodo titled 'Wait a Minute: Does Math actually exist?'. Here is a sample:
PBS Idea Channel tackles the subject of whether math really exists or not. It's a legitimate question because math, unlike physics or chemistry or biology, can't be seen or smelled or observed. Idea Channel writes:
Do we live in a mathless universe? Or if math is a real entity that exists, are there formulas and mathematical concepts out there in the universe that are undiscovered? Or is it all fiction?
Indeed, Prof. Roochnik does actually subscribe to a form of mathematical realism. What do you think?
The Core Blog is a hub for information and media related to the CAS Core Curriculum at Boston University. It will be updated regularly, with photo galleries, interviews, links to related reading online, news of events or activities, and other kinds of content that help connect our Core people—prospective, current, and former students—with each other.
You can stop by here once a week to scroll through the posts, or make this your homepage in order to keep your finger on the pulse of the Core. Either way, we hope you find this to be a pleasant way to strengthen your connection with the great people, the great books, and the great questions we encounter in the Core.
Relating to the frustratingly constant and reliable doubts that some students feel toward their majors, is an article from the Wall Street Journal discussing the choice of field. Their claim is that mathematics and science majors are relatively popular – until of course, students realize ‘what they are in for’. Here is an excerpt:
Just look how happy they are. Tell us you don't want to be that happy!
