Si HERALD
April 9,2014
ThinkStrong Initiative
Alyssa Mathewson, staff writer
Critical thinking skills are a hallmark of Mer
edith graduates. The ThinkStrong initiative is trying
to expand critical thinking into existing classes at
the school, as well as using freshman seminars to get
new, fresh ideas out into the education environment.
ThinkStrong will bring more attention to co-curric-
ular programs that have a focus on critical thinking
and the language of thought.
“Meredith College has a
commitment to teach and
enhance critical thinking
skills.”
ThinkStrong was originally known as PRISM, which
stood for Purposeful Reasoning Inquiry Scholar
ship at Meredith. This critical thinking initiative was
known primarily through its freshman seminars.
When Meredith College rebranded, the initiative
also rebranded and became ThinkStrong. Assistant
Professor of Religious & Ethical Studies and Direc
tor of ThinkStrong, Dr. Steven Benko says critical
thinking is, “deliberate, intentional thinking.” It
uses the various elements of thought: point of view,
purpose, question at issue, information, interpreta
tion, inference, concepts, assumptions, implications
and consequences. These elements are part of what
Dr. Benko calls the “language of thinking.” Students
should expect a bigger focus on critical thinking as
a part of ThinkStrong’s initiative. The purpose is to
teach students to be aware of how they are thinking
through ideas, allowing them to figure out how to
achieve their end goal.
Administrators of ThinkStrong, such as di
rector Dr. Steven Benko would like to see the concepts
“Students should expect a
bigger focus on critical
thinking as a part of
ThinkStrong’s initiative.”
of critical thinking in the presentation of research at
CSA Day as well as in the activity of the research it
self. Meredith College has a commitment to teach
and enhance critical thinking skills - ThinkStrong is
the representation of that commitment. Employers
want to hire students v«th these skills of deliberate;
they are in high demand. ThinkStrong wants to help
Meredith students become more aware of how they
go about achieving their goals. For more information
on the program, contact Dr. Benko or Dean Gleason.
Meredith Course on Zombie Survival, Make it Out Alive
Anita Holliday, staff writer
It’s best to have a plan for any
and everything, right? How about a
zombie apocalypse? What would you
do and how? What should you keep in
mind? Sociology of Zombies is a sum
mer course taught by Dr. Lori Brown,
the Program Coordinator of Sociology
at Meredith College. The course uses
two seasons of The Walking Dead, the
novels World War Z and I Am Legend
as references along with a “how-to”
survival guide.
Brown instructs the course
with a heavy emphasizes on the so
ciology aspect of a zombie takeover.
Themes such as gender roles, structure
of society, group dynamics and govern
ment response are some of many fac
tors that are considered. “The course
uses things from the show and real
life, focuses on gender issues, who
should be in charge, age becoming a
factor, disability, mental and physical
strength. Who’s going to be left be
hind? Where would you go for safety?
By the end, how would we start a new
world?” said Brown.
With numerous dynamics of
thinking about the sociolosi of a zom
bie takeover, the question on how long
people can go on fighting is dependent
on a number of things. “What are ethics
in the world of survival?” said Brown.
Government response may
not be as strong as it once was. Brown
specified on the government presence
topic and noted how much people rely
on the government. “When the govern
ment is not there you are on your own.
We have gotten used to the idea that
we are taken care of,” said Brown. “We
may not realize how much we should
be prepared to take care of ourselves.”
A fan herself of The Walk
ing Dead, Brown enjoys teaching the
course and calls it “the most fun class
she has ever taught.” Brown started up
the course herself from watching The
Walking Dead and became fascinated
in observing how the program could
be looked at as something more than
just a show. “Best part about this is the
people who are often at the bottom of
the society become the heroes” said
Brown.
Senior Swannatha Smith took
the course last summer and enjoyed
the open discussions and scenarios
that were incorporated. “I feel like if
a zombie apocalypse were to happen,
I would have an idea on what to do,
what to look for and how to survive,”
said Smith.
Smith who became a fan of the
Walking Dead after taking the course,
recommends those who show even the
slightest interest on the topic to take
it. “The course is really interesting
and will help with logic and problem
solving while also teaching you the val
via geeksofdoom.com
ues of teamwork and leadership,” said
Smith.
Sociology of Zombies will be
offered this summer as a six-week
online/hybrid course. This summer
marks the second time the course is of
fered since starting last summer. Reg
istration for summer and fall 2014 se
mesters begin April 7, 2014.
“What are ethics in the world of survival?
STAFF
Editors: Jessica Feltner, Editor in Chief. Julia Dent, Managing Editor. Cody Jeffery, Assistant Editor. Lucia Rynka-Estevez, Layout Editor.
Marlena Brown, News Editor. Maitlyn Healy, A&E and Sports Editor. Rachel Pratl, Editorial Editor. Caitlin Davis, Copy Editor.
Staff Writers: Katy Koop, Alyssa Mathewson, Isabel Benson, Jenny Gerardo, Anita Holliday, Fantasia Evans, Kelly Wallace, Beth Langley
The Meredith Herald is produced by students throughout the academic year and is printed by Hinton Press. The paper is funded by the College and through inde
pendent advertising. The opinions expressed in the editorial columns do not necessarily reflect those of the college administration, faculty, or student body.
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