Week 1: Two Cultures

Given C.P. Snow's concept of the division of art and science, I have always believed the two categories have been separate.  Even over fifty years later, I agree with Snow's description of stereotypes with scientists being known for dangerous with their experiments and artists being uneducated of technology because of their enjoyment of painting on a blank canvas.

By taking the two cultures into consideration, UCLA's campus is heavily divided by these categories. North campus can be mistaken as easier due to their majors focusing on art related subjects, whereas South is focused on science. Snow would agree that UCLA's division causes a larger problem to the culture due to the curriculum of schools and universities being the source of the problem. For example, I am currently a fourth-year history major at UCLA. Due to the campus culture of South campus being seen as the more "vocational" side, this drives a larger division between the possibility of bringing the two together.

Example of Blending of Samoan
Stereotype with American Culture
 (Moana for Halloween in a College Fraternity)

In relation, I am a young Samoan woman who has been raised in California my entire life. My ethnic background consist of being Samoan and American which are completely different. Similar to Snow's stereotypes of science and art, many people believe Samoan lifestyles are similar to the characters displayed in the Disney movie, Moana. However, I have been born and raised in America despite the depiction of Samoans in American culture.

Although Snow capitalizes on the separation of the categories, John Brockman proposes a third culture which claims contemporary scientists are the "middle men." I believe when art and science combine, it creates a unified culture. By having middle men, ideas can be expanded as well as having new inspiration for creativity. Science can be impacted by art during their experiments as well as art being seen as "vocational" due to the combination of both.

UCLA: South Vs. North Campus

 <-- Example of Art & Science Together

REFERENCES

Associated Press. “Why 'Moana' Is Drawing Criticism in the South Pacific.” New York Post, New York Post, 30 Nov. 2016, nypost.com/2016/11/30/why-moana-is-drawing-criticism-in-the-south-pacific/.

Brockman, John. The Third Culture. Simon & Schuster, 1995.

Snow, C. P. “Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution.” Reading. 1959. New York: Cambridge UP, 1961. Print.

Vense, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Beign in Between." Leonardo 34.2 (2001). Web.  

Zymet, Salim. “Lighter Workload for North Campus Students Provides Flexibility to Explore, Critically Think about Real-World Issues.” Daily Bruin, dailybruin.com/2011/03/03/_lighter_workload_for_north_campus_students_provides_flexibility_to_explore_critically_think_about_r/.