USD Magazine, Spring 2003

ALMANAC

When Worlds Collide Economics and philosophy seem, ar first blush, to be at opposite ends of rhe academic spectrum - one focused on rhe concrete world of figures and percentages, the ocher on che ephemeral world of theory and concept. For students enrolled this semester in a new class called "The Economics and Ethics of Gender in che Developing World," however, rhe disciplines merge to offer a per– spective of the world never before viewed from Alcala Park. "We're looking at rhe impact gen– der has had on third-world nations, and asking if women are being left behind relative to men," says eco– nomics Professor Denise Dimon, who co-created and ream-teaches rhe class with philosophy Professor Harrier Baber. "Then we're going a step further, and asking, if chey are, is ir morally acceptable?"

Colachis Plaza, in che center of campus, and traded views on how to create a new vision for che depart– ment. "Thar was a determining moment for me,,, says Bilsel, an assis– tant professor

Dimon says these topics have been addressed in developed nations, bur che issues for che third world are startlingly different and more complex. "There are access issues in devel– oping nations chat we rake for granted - access to education and health care, che right ro own prop– erty," she says. "We need to under– stand chose kinds of things to understand how women are affected by che development process." Although che class is in its infancy, Dimon was encouraged by che initial meetings. ''About a third of che class is male," she says. "Thar's encourag– ing, because while we focus on women, we are crying ro explore universal issues char affect everyone. This class is not just for women." The Ultimate Road Trip Ir's one thing ro rell studenrs about Columbus sailing che ocean blue. It's quite another to have chem stand in the chapel where che explorer prayed for a safe voyage, and to show them the box of New World soil he brought back for Queen Isabella. Hisrory came alive for I9 students who

Junior Ann Cimmarusti (left), her sister Paula and friend Becky Tater, in one of their "classrooms."

The "Reign in Spain" intersession class covered che Roman era through contemporary Spanish politics, and was caught in "classrooms" includ– ing Alcala de Hernares, che infir– mary where San Diego de Alcala served, museums in Madrid and, of course, che University of Alcala, USD's sister institution. "le was strange being chere, because it really does look like USO," says Ann Cimmarusri, a jun– ior communication studies major. "The whole trip was amazing to me because I'm a very visual learner, and to actually see those places helped me better understand che chings we covered in rhe lectures." The trip was hardly a vacation - students were required to attend lec– tures, write essays and keep a jour– nal of their experiences. Engscrand says rhe voyage was rhe first of irs kind for USO. Judging from rhe response she received from students, and from 10 alumni and friends who also made rhe journey, ic won't be rhe lasr. "Ir was wonderful to see curiosity in rhe eyes of rhe srudenrs," Engscrand says. "They really reacted to che sighcs and sounds of being there. We already have requests for next time." New Design for Fine Arts Selami Can Bilsel knew USO was different from rhe beginning. His interview for a position in che fine arts department, unlike every other academic interview he experienced, was nor conducted in che sterile confines of a conference room. Instead, professors Sally Yard and David Smith sat Bilsel down in

who specializes in architecture as public arr. "I knew right away chis was a collegial environment. I was very intrigued by che things they were saying, and had the feeling they were interested in what I had to say as well." Smith, Yard and Bilsel form the foundation for an added dimension in USO fine arts, a new curriculum char will examine the role of public arc and how social spaces and physi– cal spaces are used in society.

accompanied Arts and Sciences Dean Patrick Drinan and history Professor Iris Engsuand on a cwo-week tour of Spain in January.

Denise Dimon

Selami Can Bilsel

Bilsel, who trained as an architect in his native Turkey, earned a master's degree in architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was pursuing a doctorate from Princeton University and working as a Gerry Fellow in Los Angeles when che USO opening caught his attention. 'Tm inreresred in architecture as public arr," Bilsel says, "and with David's background as a sculptor and Sally's in arc history, we're work– ing ro create a unique academic approach to examining what che things we build say about us. I don't know of anything quire like ic."