Questions Answered

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Questions about academic opportunities at Dickinson? The Academic Open House was the place for answers from noon to 1 p.m. last Thursday. The HUB Social Hall was bustling as current students and newly enrolled members of the class of 2017 posed their questions to faculty, administrators and current students—and the faculty posed a few as well. Here’s a sampling:

Q: What’s the classical-studies department like?

A: We have 50-75 people taking either Greek or Latin right now, 15-20 majors and two clubs, and all of our students study abroad, either in Italy, England or Greece. It’s a good atmosphere, and it provides a solid foundation for you to go on to do whatever you want to do. —Marc Mastrangelo, professor of classical studies

Q: How could I connect my interest in Italian with my interest in movies?

A: Dickinson is a really good place for students interested in Italian. We have a great program in Bologna, and we do a fair amount with Italian film. —Steve Weinberger, Robert Coleman Professor of History and film-studies chair

Q: Are you a magician?

A: I’m a physicist. Physicists are magicians. —Hans Pfister, associate professor of physics

Q: Do you have to be a music major to participate in the music extracurriculars?

A: Absolutely not. We have about 20 music majors total. All the rest of those who make up our ensembles and orchestra and performance groups are non-majors. You can tailor your level of involvement. —Blake Wilson, professor of music

Q: So where are you from?

A: I’m from New York! But I’m so excited to come to Carlisle. —incoming member of the class of 2017

Q: Why should I look at creative writing in addition to English?

A: They go together really well, and a lot of students who write creatively for fun are looking for a little structure. And the great thing about the creative writing program is that it offers courses on different topics every semester. My friend and I are graduating this year and we’re looking at the course list for next fall and wish we could be taking all of them! —Emily David ’13, English major, creative-writing minor, budding political communications guru

Q: What does my academic advisor do, exactly?

A: It starts with summer advising when they help you select your first semester of courses. Then your First-Year Seminar professor becomes your advisor until you declare a major, and they help you sort through all the options and point you in the right direction for you. —Shirley King, dean of advising

Q: What if I’m interested in more of the design and tech side of theatre rather than performance?

A: We have classes in both of those areas, and there’s the opportunity to create specialized independent studies if we don’t offer something that you’re really interested in. I’m working now with students who wanted to engage with computer-animated vector graphics, and it’s really exciting. —Benjamin Ferrar, assistant professor of theatre & dance and resident scenic and lighting designer

Published March 20, 2013