CHaSS week at Utah State University promotes intellectual development

Utah State University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, or CHaSS, has sponsored an event each day this week since Monday. These events ranged from a quiz bowl to a research symposium.

On Wednesday, English Professor Phebe Jensen delivered the 38^th annual Last Lecture at Utah State as part of CHaSS Week.

In her lecture, Jensen analyzed Shakespearian characters and likened them to different points in time, including modern society today.

At one point, she even compared Prospero’s overprotective behavior in The Tempest to parental Facebook stalking in the 21^st century. The connection provoked laughter throughout the crowd.

Jensen displayed a firm conviction that the English playwright’s works are worth reading, especially for college students.

“Shakespeare can teach students discernment, empathy, imagination, fun, philosophy, all kinds of things,” Jensen said. “The list is kind of endless.”

Jensen’s lecture was one of many events the college organizes during each academic year. Many of these events aim to facilitate intellectual development and enhance the perspectives of students.

Utah State University Professor Phebe Jensen greets audience members after  giving the annual "Last Lecture" during CHaSS week.

According to Trent Morrison, the current CHaSS senator, the approach of his college differs from that of the College of Engineering or Huntsman School of Business.

“Instead of specializing minds, CHaSS is expanding them,” Morrison said.

“I think CHaSS week encourages students to be more well rounded intellectually,” said Matthew Anderson, the recently elected CHaSS senator for the coming year. He will replace Morrison when he is inaugurated on April 19.

Morrison emphasized that “college isn’t about getting a degree to get a job.”

“It’s an opportunity for us to learn and it’s an opportunity for us to grow and recognize different aspects of the world,” he said. “And that’s what I think this college is doing.”

Even with this talk of well roundedness, a small group of students like senior Jace Cairns felt they coasted through their CHaSS education.

“My education that I've received by getting a degree in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences has essentially been a joke,” said Cairns, who will graduate this May with a liberal arts degree. “I haven't been challenged and I haven't really grown or learned anything.”

Morrison said that students reap what they sow from the college.

“If you apply yourself here, you will build yourself as a person,” he said. “What you get out of it depends on what you put in.”