the bunburyist

I'm currently enrolled in CAT 1 (Carlisle). The sequence touts itself as being wonderful and interdisciplinary; and while it is certainly against the grain and covers a wide breath of seemingly unrelated topics, I have absolutely no idea where it's supposed to be going.

I was wondering if anyone could possibly enlighten me to what I should be expecting, come finals time? Is it like an English final (only you'd cite the non-fiction readings rather than literary works)? Or something else entirely? I know it's a bit premature to be thinking about the final, but I am so unbelievably lost and I think it'd be a good idea to get un-lost before it's too late.

Thank you so much.

ChristianWu

I am also in Carlisle's course. And he does speak about things that are sometimes unrelated to the course. But from what I can gather, all the readings, lectures, and discussions hinges on the understanding of how we. categorize gender/sexuality/ and categorizing itself. Hints from my TA gave was to read most of the readings relating to gender and how they came to categorize it.

My TA does not know if Carlisle will give a essay final exam or a mix between multiple choice + essay. But I will most likely go with the former on an essay.

The course itself is just trying to enrich us with how we go about judging others and criticize whether the assignment of gender, sexuality, etc... Is effective or should it be something deeper.

Again this is my own interpretation of the course. I'm going to ask this question for my discussion next week .

Hope you get unlost!

Schw1ng

I have Guillermo Algaze for CAT1 and I have to say his approach to the class is fascinating. We look back into history to the roots of civilization to try and understand why differences in cultures throughout the world come to be. The class revolves around many interesting online-articles about human nature, behavior, anthropology, and the like. We relate this articles around John Diamond's book, Guns, Germs, and Steel. We're graded on 6 essays, participation in section, and CAT events. The first 3 essays are 1-2 pages summary-style commentaries, the next 2 are the same but with our added analysis/opinion, and our final (the sixth essay), is a research essay (5-6 pages).

droobles91

I also have Algaze and I think it's been an interesting class so far. didn't appreciate the 40 pages on evolution but oh well

Schw1ng

^
Yeah, that article was lame, but the article on Human Behavior, especially the bit about the twins, was extremely interesting.

droobles91

yeah, I agree with you there.