Undergraduate / Philosophy for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - Colorado Block Plan Design [NEW]

The Block Plan at Colorado College has a tradition of innovation and flexibility. Please design your own three-and-a-half week intellectual adventure and describe what you would do.

Philosophy for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

As animal welfare is always a concern of mine, I will spend this three and a half weeks exploring this issue in depth. This will be an interdisciplinary course involving sociology and philosophy,

The first week will be about the question:"How are animals treated in our society?" Facts have been kept away from the public and I should use this week to dig them out.

Firstly, I would fully make use of the existing materials, i.e., books and videos on this topic, in order to have a comprehensive understanding of the current situation of animal welfare. Secondly, I would visit farms, animal shelters and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo myself to observe the living conditions of animals. Talking to the workers there is also an essential.

In the second week, I will use the philosophical approach to analyse the question: "How should animals be treated in our society?" The relationship between human and non-human animals is not a new topic of discussion. From the book of Genisis to the masterpiece of Aristotle and Aquinas, there are many sources I need to fully explore. For my analysis to be objective, I would like to go through as many cases against animal rights as cases for.

From the first two weeks' study, I am likely to find that how we treat animals today are not how we are expected to and animal welfare is not assured in most cases. So in the third week I will focus on the solution: "What can we do to change the situation?" I will arrange a meeting with a staff of an animal welfare organization. The Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region is located only ten minutes' drive away from Colorado College, which gives much convenience. From our talk, I will be able to have a general idea of what have been done so far and what is left to be done. Then I will analyse individually about how, from a broad perspective, can we improve animal welfare. In particular, I will focus more on the problems I found out in the local area during the first week.

Concluding the course in the last half week, I will fully make use of what I have learnt in this course. While the final report I finish is likely to be broad and comprehensive, I will have another specific focus on a smaller issue that can be improved straight away and take action, for example, to write to the City of Colorado Springs council to persuade them to choose free-range instead of cage eggs for their various functions. I will also give a public talk in the college about what I learnt in order to raise the students' awareness of animal welfare.

Thanks for reading! Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.=D

Undergraduate / "innovative ways of teaching" - How did you learn about Colorado College and why? [2]

Please help - all suggestions are welcomed! Grammar especially~=)Thanks!

When the idea of studying abroad emerged in my mind years ago, I read an article introducing innovative ways of teaching in the US. Colorado College, with its special Block Plan, drew my attention. Years later, while the names of most other colleges fade away, CC remains and I believe more firmly that the Block Plan would best suit my learning habit.

As an extremely energetic person, I honestly don't have any problem multitasking. However, to gain knowledge, I prefer to devote myself to one single area at a time so that I could investigate in depth. In the summer of 2008, as a member of Beijing Teenager Science and Technology Club, I was awarded the opportunity to do supervised research in National Institute of Biology (NIBS). I have always been fascinated by biology and found it especially rewarding to be able to do experiment in a first rate, internationally competitive institution.Throughout the two months, I arrived at the laboratory every morning at 8.30 and left sometimes as late as 9p.m.. In the evening, however late I arrived home, I read for one hour or so about molecular biology so that I would be more prepared theoretically for my research. Though demanding and challenging, the life as a researcher was truly fulfilling. When I returned to school after the vacation, I was still working on my research report but at the same time I had to spare my energy to memorize the "function of our government" whatsoever. The distraction was very annoying. In college, I would really love to study one subject at a time and explore the full context of what I like.

The Block Plan would also give me the flexibility to explore my other passions outside of the classroom. Many student organizations in CC attract me a lot, for example, the CC Collegiate Figure Skating Club and the CC Farm. Also, so far there does not seem to be many organizations or activities in CC about Chinese culture, I would love to set up a club introducing Chinese culture to CC students. I have been playing the Zheng, a traditional Chinese instrument, for nearly ten years now. Though I may not play as well as professionals, I will be able and would love to hold a recital in college and give some seminars to students who are interested.