By VIVIAN KOPKA
The recently-established Center for Integrative Learning held an event all about blocks called a “Block Party” on Sept. 19. The event took place in Grace’s Place in the basement of Pearsons Hall, courtesy of Dean Gloria Bradley, and was hosted by the center’s director, Dr. Natalie Gummer, a professor of religious studies and critical identity (CRIS) studies.
The party, fixed with pizza, beverages and music, offered students a space to understand blocks and what they do. Dr. Sonya Maria Johnson, associate professor of Religious Studies and CRIS, opened the event with a speech introducing attendees to the event and what the event is doing: “we wanted to bring you here not only to celebrate the ‘what you know,’ but to answer the ‘what can you do with them?’” she said.
Blocks operate to reframe the humanities, according to Gummer, so anyone in any area of study can have the opportunity to essentially dip their toes in different studies and topics. While it has always been possible for one to take classes outside of a major or minor, the blocks allow a student to more accurately market their specific interests.
Blocks can be used singularly to earn a certificate of completion or a minor, but they can also be paired with other blocks to create a major. The CRIS program has adopted the block system for the major and minor requirements.
Ray Broad’26, a student who helped faculty with the development of some of the CRIS blocks, touched on the usefulness of the adoption of blocks, “[Blocks] provide an opportunity for students to explore things without feeling like it’s useless — which I don’t think it is in the first place — but it makes the skills marketable in a really clear and understandable way on a resume, transcript, or however you decide to present it.”
The event had tables labelled as different blocks so students could go around and get information about each block. Each block has a list of courses, and the student must choose four of them to complete a block.
Right now, there are ten different Social Justice blocks, five Environment and Sustainability blocks, and four Worldbuilding blocks. However, the center plans to expand blocks to all areas of study.
While the sentiment from professors and students about blocks was generally positive, student Liam Peterson’27 echoed a frustration held among them and others. “Things keep changing basically every semester. It’s kind of confusing because I already had a plan,” they said, “but I’m really excited because there are new opportunities to make your own blocks and majors.”
The event concluded with an opportunity to talk to professors about blocks, who then gave interested students raffle tickets. There was a raffle of swag bags at the very end.
The Round Table wants to note that there was an article on Center for Integrative Learning published last semester that was not sufficient and caused more confusion about blocks and the center. We apologize for the harm done by the article, and we want to emphasize that we will always prioritize journalistic integrity and attempting to accurately report the truth.
Featured image: Tibco
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