Roundtable Discussions
Looking Ahead: The Future for Science at Brooklyn College
This wide-ranging discussion, moderated by Dean of Research and Graduate Studies Louise Hainline, Psychology, and Micha Tomkiewicz, Physics, examined the role of science courses at the college and the level of science exposure by science and nonscience majors. Some stated a need to incorporate science in all courses, believing that students need science literacy to function in today's science-oriented world. Other points touched on internship opportunities for science majors, grant funding, plans for the college's new science building and the need for more time for faculty research in the sciences.
Heritage Languages at Brooklyn College: Can Languages We Leave Behind Continue to Affect Our Lives?
Kenneth Bruffee, English and Honors Academy, Mariana Regalado, Library, and Eugene Shenderov, a student in the Honors Academy, led a provocative discussion that raised the following themes and questions: A heritage language can create an alternative "cultural persona" in people. What can be done to explore those cultural personae and alternative worlds? What do we already understand about the relationship (the friction as well as the mutual benefits) between heritage languages and the dominant language? How can heritage languages be used to help, change, or improve society? How can the college tap its heritage languages as it becomes a global institution? How can students be persuaded that it is in their interest, given our current understanding of the world's "global" direction, to cultivate their heritage languages? Where do heritage languages make fruitful contact with the existing curriculum? Roundtable participants suggested that faculty introduce heritage languages into more existing courses through the use of translation exercises and library search assignments.