Week 1: Two Cultures

        As a Business Economics major, I feel tied to both worlds of the two cultures. Only since fall 2019 has Business Economics been considered a STEM major at UCLA, as it had been previously classified as a Social Science. This change of classification did not change many of the courses required for the class but rather highlights how Business Economics can be identified with North or South Campus, with STEM or Social Sciences, or with one culture or another. 


"The Economics Building at UCLA"

If you asked my personal opinion of which culture described by C.P. Snow, Scientists or Artists, my major belonged to, I would answer Scientists. Although Business Economics might not delve deep into math, physics, or chemistry like a typical STEM major, it deals with the study of the economy in a scientific manner much like a typical STEM major. The decisions that consumers make, the ways our economies are measured, and the ideas like the laws of supply and demand often produce enough mathematical problems for economists that it would be hard to consider it not a STEM major. 


"The New E in STEM": Graphic Displaying Economics as Part of STEM

As I have become more involved in economics with my education at UCLA, I have seen myself take a side in the two cultures. The classes I take that do not deal with math or economics often become not as important in my mind, however after learning of the two cultures problem I realized I need those courses just as much. Economics programs at other institutes have even realized this fact, and develop their economics students to be well versed in the arts as well. 


"Poster for the Stockholm School of Economics Art Initiative"

        At the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), by “actively integrating art and humanities in the economic context of SSE and in the public debate, [they] aim at making SSE and society more knowledge intensive” (Olsson). Students of economics who partake in this "Art Initiative" are well educated in the arts and were found to be better problem solvers within their fields and more desirable to potential employers. Programs like the SSE Art Initiative are key to building the bridge that Snow talks about between Scientists and Artists. And, as seen in Stockholm, groups can benefit from each other and produce better-equipped graduates from each culture by working together regardless of whether they identify as a Scientist or Artist. 


Sources:

Carbone, Celia. "Economics Major Reclassified as STEM Major." The Heights, 15 Oct 2018. https://www.bcheights.com/2018/10/15/economics-major-reclassified-as-stem/. Web.

Olsson, Mikael. "There's a Link Between Economics and Arts that Often Goes Unnoticed." Study International, 04 Sept 2018. https://www.studyinternational.com/news/theres-link-art-economics-often-goes-unnoticed/. Web.

Pant, Sameera. "UCLA Reclassifies Economics, Business Economics Majors as Stem Majors." Daily Bruin, 06 Nov 2019. https://dailybruin.com/2019/11/06/ucla-reclassifies-economics-business-economics-majors-as-stem-majors. Web.

"Poster for SSE Art Initiative". Stockholm School of Economics. https://learningatvrg.wordpress.com/tag/uf/, Web.

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

Sturlaugson, Grace. "The New E in STEM." The Daily, 02 Nov 2020. https://www.dailyuw.com/opinion/article_1146ac64-1ccf-11eb-9bca-1b9cf266b40f.html, Web. 

"The Economics Building at UCLA." UCLA Economics. https://economics.ucla.edu/undergraduate/, Web. 

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


Comments

  1. Brian TaylorApril 4, 2021 at 3:22 PM

    This post was very insightful. I did not previously know that business economics recently became a STEM major at UCLA, so this information surprised me. The fact that economics is considered a STEM field demonstrates how diverse the "science culture" is, and how science is much more than just labs and experiments. In addition, the SSE Art Initiative seems very unique and useful. I would be interested to know if there are interdisciplinary programs like these at other universities or in other fields. Like you said, these types of programs would be crucial in bridging the two cultures, so hopefully they become more widespread in the near future.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nathan DudleyApril 4, 2021 at 9:54 PM

    I am also a Business Economics major and while doing this blog entry, I have shared some of the thoughts you described. I really like how you gave an example of a way to bridge the two cultures between art and science. Overall, I believe this is very well written and your ideas are clearly expressed.

    ReplyDelete

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