Unit 1: Two Cultures

C.P. Snow identified universities as the sources of the idea of two separate cultures, the scientists and literary intellectuals. Instead of being broad and interrelated, the curriculum at the university level tends to be specialized. This results in students having a narrow field of knowledge which further perpetuates the separation. As a molecular, cell, & developmental biology major, I study the underlying cellular processes that occur within our cells. The majority of my classes are science classes that deal with the topic of cells. Due to my curriculum, I have a deep understanding of cells and their processes, but limited knowledge in other areas including the arts.

General Education classes broaden horizons and knowledge 

In addition, universities are based on the outdated idea of industrialization (The RSA). At UCLA, there is a clear regional divide between the science classes and humanity classes, with science classes being located in South Campus and humanity classes located in North Campus. Since my classes are mainly in South Campus, I spend little time in North Campus which leads to limited interaction and exposure to non-science students. The bridge building between the two cultures occurs at the university level (Vesna) and UCLA attempts to bridge this gap by requiring all students to take general education classes outside of their field of study. With this requirement in place, I am required to take classes outside of my major, giving me exposure to other fields. Although there is much more that needs to be done, this is a step towards bridging the gap.

Kinesin protein "walking" along a microtubule

Although it might not be apparent, my major is connected to the arts. There is an innate artistic and philosophical quality about molecular and cell biology. At our fundamental level, these intricate processes occur with exact precision, laying the foundation as to how we function and operate. Similar to an artist, a scientist wants to create something that is “whole, total, harmonious, beautiful” (Bohm). As a cell biologist, I think of various ways of interpreting and applying research results, and creative ways of utilizing current research techniques to design experiments that allow for discovery.

Choosing the right shade in order to create a natural and aesthetic tooth 

I aspire to become a pediatric dentist, which would allow me to utilize my knowledge in cell biology along with various artistic and hand skills. I believe that dentistry falls under “The Third Culture", as I would use a unique combination of scientific knowledge, creativity, and art techniques to create functional and aesthetic teeth for patients (beautyandtruth09).

Sources:

Bohm, David. “On Creativity.” Leonardo, vol. 1, no. 2, 1968, pp. 137–149, www.jstor.org/stable/1571951. Accessed 6 April 2018.

“RSA ANIMATE: Changing Education Paradigms.” YouTube, uploaded by The RSA, 14 October 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

“SEEDMAGAZINE.COM Two Cultures Steven Pinker.” YouTube, uploaded by beautyandtruth09, 18 May 2010.

Snow, C. P. The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution. New York, Cambridge University Press, 1961.

Vesna, Victoria. "Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between." Leonardo,  vol. 34, no. 2, 2001, pp. 121-125

http://college.lattc.edu/utc/files/2015/11/genedlogo_4.jpg Accessed 6 April 2018.

http://princetonimplants.com/procedures/prosthodontics/ Accessed 6 April 2018.

https://gmsciencein.com/2017/04/24/how-cell-controls-its-traffic-insights-into-a-molecular-mystery/ Accessed 6 April 2018.