Core Seminar Conversations

Tackling our Research Papers

2006-04-09T23:05:00.000-07:00

Picking a specific topic of interest to research was quite easy but as far as putting a question together was a tough. After that the task of refining your question was quite a challenge. But we all need to challenge ourselves once in a while, don't we?

The Trip to the museun of national history Darwin exhibit

2006-03-04T20:35:00.000-08:00

First of all, I read the story of Darwin theory of evulution and how he starting to discover the origin of the species and I did not really understand well until I went to see the Darwin exhibit at the museun, there I saw things real. I saw how he starting to create his own way to come out with his theory of evulution. What really caught my attention was the snake skeleton I did not know that snake had legs. I was very surprise becuase I always thought snakes were the only animlas which had no legs in the earth.

Seawanhaka challenge

2006-03-04T06:49:00.000-08:00

Core Seminar and Bears?
Ever wonder why we need to take certain classes to succeed in the future? Well here is your answer. Core Seminar is a class which is supposed to help you discover yourself and who we really are as humans. Most importantly it is designed to help you understand the idea of the human. Although that does make sense, there is a deeper meaning to it. Not only are humans related to other humans because we walk on two legs or we have the ability to communicate, but we can be simply relate to other species. Ever wonder how we relate to bears? Well I haven’t, but after taking this class, it has been brought to my attention that bears just like humans have the ability to communicate. According to Ben Kilham, who is known for studying black bears, he has come to a conclusion in which he states that after studying them for certain years they are capable of making special sound effects and facial gestures which allow them to be understood by others. He has come to realize that bears just like humans feel loved, hated and scared. Most importantly it has been brought to my attention that bears just like humans must go through a stage where they go through learning and adaptation. It is through trial and error that they must learn exactly what bark is best to look for ants, which trees are easier to climb and where to watch out for other bears. Likewise, humans must go through the same stages where they must try different types of food to know what is good and bad. And just like humans take care of their newborns, bear cubs are taken care of by their mothers. Much like humans, cubs are looked out for and if the mother feels her cubs are in danger she will definitely step out and make sure that the threat is no longer there. Therefore, there are things out there that we have never even imagined of comparing to ourselves, but once certain classes are taken to stimulate our thinking process, we can understand and realize that we are very much similar to other species.

Ben Kilham

2006-02-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

Ben Kilham's presentation was very interesting. What I think made us so involved and motivated in that room was how well he had related the bears to humans. Yes, we have read some readings about bears and humans but when an actual person who has dedicated almost his entire life to studying bears comes and speaks to you is a completely different experience. He was very clear and most importantly he has some really good slides..My personal favorite was the bear olympics.

A Challenge to You

2006-02-24T10:23:00.000-08:00

If you were to write an article for Seawanhaka about the Ben Kilham talk and how it relates to Core Seminar, what would you write? Extra credit for those who take this challenge. You may post your article here, and/or bring it to class next week, preferably both. Remember, class is in H502 Wednesday.

Benjamin Kilham - Fascinating

2006-02-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

Benjamin Kilham showed his love for black bears during his lecture. This man has dedicated his entire life to focus and learn their habits and needs. What amazed me was the manner in which he spoke, overall he speaks softly and captivates the audience with his presence and knowledge of the bears.
The bears are part of his family as his quote ' I woke up a male bear for a Christmas cookie one year.'
I would like to know if he open up for summer camps to expose city kids to the cubs? Also how much time out of the year he takes for lectures?

So What Do You Think?

2006-02-22T19:30:00.000-08:00

Today we spent a couple of hours with Benjamin Kilham talking about his study of black bears. What do you think? Any suprises? Confirmations? Other?

Tim Treadwell/My Take on 'What is human being to us?'

2006-02-17T05:56:00.000-08:00

I would like to touch on Tim and also to base my opinion on 'what is human being mean to us'.
Do we really think Tim was mad or was he looking for another way to gain fame? After re-reading notes on Tim Treadwell, I believe he wanted to gain fame that was 'taken away' from him by going into sanctuary to prove the point of acquiring fame of being a 'hero' for the grizzly bears.

'What is human being mean to us?' (THIS IS JUST MY TAKE ON THINGS)
First it is a complex question. I will begin with a question of my own: why would you call yourself 'Simple'? My belief is what ever you put into the universe will come back to you. To further explain, if you believe you are simple that is what the world will see you as. To survive in the world, you will need to always want to acheive greatness or do your best at whatever comes your way, quote 'I just want to survive in the world with a lot of things happen around my world'.
Example: A baby has no fear until an adult places it into their world, the baby will always want to learn new things and in doing that it will have no boundaries of what cannot be done.

Go into the world with an open mind, I have this quote on my desk that I think is very interesting, unfortunately I don't know who is the author.
Follow these simple guidelines for a happy life:
First figure out who you are;
second, be you;
third, figure out what you want to do;
fourth, do it.

Timothy Treadwell

2006-02-17T04:39:00.000-08:00

I know some people would agree with me for saying he was mad, a nut job, I did. But I think he also wanted attention. What is sad though is that he had an innocent person with him that he did not take into consideration, for her life and safety. What do you think would happen if you go into the dragon's mouth?

what is human being mean to us?

2006-02-16T13:36:00.000-08:00

I don't know what to begin with my quote. However, i just want to write my idea about what is human being mean to our life? dead and life are a big important things to ask everybody thay what is importan thing you want to do if you are a human being. I am just simple person with a little education, i just want to survice in the world with a lot of things happen around my world. I just try to answer the question what human being means in my life is. So please help me to answer my question.

trip to darwin exhibit information

2006-02-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

Sorry to interrupt the flow of conversations going on here, but here is the information I promised.
1.go there and then do the analysis,#6, and bring with your yellow packet to class on March 1st in H2LG. Read your packet and highlight main points of each reading. You will use this with your analysis of Darwin exhibit for the joint session on March 1st. No exceptions.
2. IMPORTANT: Although the Darwin exhibition itself only takes an hour to go around, allow plenty of time for your visit. Darwin tickets are issued on a timed-entry basis, and you may have to wait your turn to go in. You might want to go early and buy your tickets, then go around the regular museum while you wait. BE SURE TO BRING YOUR STUDENT ID.
3. get directions to the exhibit at the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan at www.amnh.org/exhibition/darwin By subway, take the B or C train to 81st street. It is right there.
4. Do not pay attention to what the website says about what you pay. You just bring your student ID, and you pay $13 plus 50 cents as a "suggested donation." However, if you pay by credit card, it will be $16. You will be reimbursed $10 towards the cost of tickets if you save your receipts and submit them to us. OK?
5. Plan to go in small groups or pairs if you can--it is more interesting and you can discuss it with another.

6. ASSIGNMENT: FIELD TRIP TO AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY--DARWIN EXHIBITION. Direct observation and experimental learning.
Due for March 1st.
To prepare for you trip, take the following questions and a notebook (with pen or pencil of course) to take copious notes and respond to focus question #1.
Focus Question #1: In the exhibit, observe and describe accurately some of the physical objects of evidence on display, collected from Darwin's sea voyages, his garden, and elsewhere. Pay particular attention to the pegeons, the snake skeleton with legs, the Galapagos birds, the ape/hominiod fossil record, and any other items that catch your attention. Also see the film there.
Then later, when you get home, type up your notes and write two or three pages or organized notes, numbering the main points of your observation addressing the following:
Focus Question #2: Make a connection between the physical object of the snake skeleton and Darwin's theoretical ideas we read. What did Darwin observe and what conclusions did he make? Quote from the text to support your contention.
For extra credit, answer focus question #3: When human species "interact" with animal species, and vice versa, how do you think this might impact the way in which each species might evolve in terms of their physical, social, and personality traits? (Consider the films you've seen so far).
SOME OF THE INFORMATION ABOVE IS NOT WHAT I THOUGHT--THE TICKETS ARE LESS AND WHAT YOU'LL GET BACK IS MORE. BUT THAT'S GOOD, RIGHT?

"Am I a great person?" (Timothy Treadwell)

2006-02-15T21:39:00.000-08:00

The whole thing was not about the bears. Timothy did not do anything useful for them, but only the opposite. As the native Alaskan stated: “You don’t invade their (bears) territory. Act like a bear is disrespecting the bear… he made more damage. You do not show bears that human is safe.” Timothy was looking for his own self. “I’m so passive. I’m a great guy. I have such a good personality” – was his pitiful attempt to convince others of his goodness, and not only others but himself as well. He exaggerates, claiming that he will die for the animals, and he is in love with them. He was pathetic and too dramatic.

Masks

2006-02-15T21:32:00.000-08:00

The big words as Protection, Education and Research were just the covers that Timothy used to disguise his despair for recognition and self fulfillment. His life among the people was not successful – he “had a dark side – guns, drugs, a lot of trouble”. Unable to be successful in the community Timothy escaped to the wild, where he could bring some attention to his persona by proclaiming his braveness, strength and unselfish motives.
What really surprised me that for 13 years he did not produce any valuable work or research. What he did was the vain waste of time.

New members

2006-02-11T16:13:00.000-08:00

I'm glad some more of our class have signed on. Now, please join in by sharing your thoughts and questions. If you have some relevant topics, speak.If you don't know how to enter a log, press the blogger logo on the right of the screen, which takes you to dashboard. That is where you can either press new post or view blog. Press new post and then you have the screen. OK?

I am quite impressed with everyone's medicine wheel and write up; not only were the wheels creative, the write ups seemed very honest. As we go on in our inquiry about what it means to be human, how has what we've done and seen so far given you insights?

2006-02-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

Point taken, Tim was dealt a very negative fate in his live, his scholarship fell through after a back injury, Woody Harrelson being pick for the part in 'Cheers' instead. In normal circumstances you then turn to the people closest to you (family, friends) and reevaluated your life not go into the wilderness and depend on the animals. I believe this was another addiction, he gave up drinking and replace it with the animals.

New Persona

2006-02-10T11:55:00.000-08:00

So true. He was different than Ben Kilham. Tredwell's friend said, "He had a need to develop a new persona for himself." Tredwell himself said at one point, "Thanks to the animals for giving me a life. Before I had no life. I promised the bears if I help them, would they look over me? I stopped drinking--it was the miracle of animals." All these things seem to support your contention he was "crawy," and before viewing the movie, I had dismissed him as such. But now I have tempered that a bit. I just see him as someone who had no sense of himself or any self fullfillment, so channeled all that need toward animals. If people didn't "recognize him," perhaps animals would? I see this childlike, but very desperate need that he turns to animals for, and of course, can't get from them. Maybe?

2006-02-10T11:10:00.000-08:00

Grizzly Man, now what can I say?
Simply, he was insane, but my first thought 'Why didn't the park service proceed to stop him from this yearly expedition? Isn't there a law that was not strongly enforced? He was even allowed to teach kids after his expeditions. During the film, just by his various comments (cursing at the park service or even touching the bear's feces), Tim was not in his right mind plus why was he always cleaned shaved and hair neatly combed?
I do feel sorry for his girlfriend being killed along with him, still this was stupid of her to actually be in the wilderness in the first place. If you are afraid of bears why spend the summers in their habitat plus decline a job offer to be with a very unstable character. Poor judgement on her part.

Getting Started

2006-02-10T09:38:00.000-08:00

We have had so many films, we haven't had a great deal of class time yet. This coming Wednesday we will meet in room 502 first so we can touch base and discuss some of the homework and readings so far. Also I promise to bring your papers. The last movie, Grizzly Man, I also saw for the first time with all of you. I found it funny, frightening, and quite disturbing. Professor Goodman had said it was an excellent contrast to the other film of Among the Bears, and also it showed a great deal about human nature. I think it really did just that. I haven't really put my feelings about it into words yet. How about we get some class conversation going about the movie here on our new site? Professor Boutwell