I'm in a class called Reading Augustana that discusses the many ways we can improve both our campus and the societies we live in. In class this week we discussed how architecture is both influential and representative of the communities they exist in. One student brought up how the addition of windows in classrooms encourages students to think more about the application of their learning. Our university recently finished renovating our old science building in order to create a larger building that consists of newer equipment and walls of windows.
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This new Froiland Science Complex represents this idea of outward application by putting “science on display” through the windows that surround the building; students are bringing the world into their learning and their learning into the world. By including the value of openness and transparency into the architecture of the Froiland, students are more exposed to the creative inspiration of the world around them, making their work all the more relevant. My only, semi-selfish, problem with this idea is that no one in this generation has ever questioned whether or not the sciences are relevant. Science is so important because it is all around us. The second we think of scientific study, we think of all of the things that are impacted by this field: medicine, technology, engineering, ecology, etc. In other words, everyone already believes that the sciences are valuable because we are able to see the sciences on display in our lives and in the world everyday. Therefore, I think the job of the Froiland architecture is to encourage this value rather than create, simply because that value is already there and it has been for awhile.
The humanities, on the other hand, have never been as lucky. People who are not associated with the humanities have a hard time finding a “practical” application of the learning that takes place there. Consequently, few are able to see why the humanities are valuable in our society because people don't think they are relevant. This issue is not new to me as an English and Religion/Philosophy major who constantly has to deal with the question: “What are you going to do with your major? Teach?” (as if teaching has suddenly become bad career choice). However, now that I am able to see what it looks like when a particular academic branch is celebrated, I am extremely jealous. I am not saying that the sciences don't deserve to be rewarded and celebrated, because I absolutely love the Froiland and it makes me proud to see it add value to both our campus and our academic excellence. I am simply frustrated and disappointed that the humanities have once again been consistently neglected and surpassed by the sciences. The prison-like Humanities Center on our campus seems to overlooked even more so now that the Froiland Complex highlights the fact that there has not been a chance for the humanities to be celebrated in the same way. Renovating the humanities building and including more windows, will not only increase the amount of inspiration for these creative minds but will also cause its students to see that their learning has always been and will always be relevant and applicable to the world around us. Whether you are a Biology major or an English major, the humanities will always be important because they teach the analysis of the human condition and the art of passion through the expression of reflection, individualism, and voice. They deserve to be celebrated as well as valued and appreciated. And above all, the humanities deserve to be on display.
