L&S Activities at Cal Day, April 12

By Genevieve Shiffrar, March 27, 2002

Cal Day, UC Berkeley's annual open house, shares and celebrates the intellectual and educational riches of the campus. This year's Cal Day, Saturday, April 12th, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., offers something for everyone—expert lectures, museum tours, activities for kids, sporting events and performances.

Of particular interest to current and prospective students of the College of Letters & Science and their families are the lectures and events that individually and collectively describe the breadth and depth of the liberal arts on campus. These include the following.

• What's the Good of the Liberal Arts? Discover the basic values that sustain the educational experience offered in the College of Letters & Science in this lecture by Steven Botterill, L&S Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Division and Professor of Italian Studies. Dean Botterill discusses the concept of the liberal arts—where it comes from, why it is important, and what the College does to try to make it a vital part of every student's education. Scheduled for 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. in 145 Dwinelle Hall, this presentation provides an excellent liberal-arts framework through which to appreciate other Cal Day events offered by units in the College.
• Hayward Fault Walking Tour. Take a guided tour of the part of the Hayward fault that runs through the Berkeley campus with Dr. Peggy Hellweg of the Earth and Planetary Science Department. The two-hour tour will extend over some rough terrain, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Meet in the west lobby of McCone Hall at 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.
• Affirmative Action and Social Science Evidence. Affirmative action is in part an issue of national values. Yet, social scientific research bearing on the existence of inequality and on the workings of affirmative action is worthy of consideration as well. What does the scholarly evidence say about the magnitude of inequality in the U.S.? What have social scientists learned in analyzing the operation of affirmative action? This lecture is presented by Sociology Professor Samuel Lucas, 11:00 a.m. - noon in 145 Dwinelle Hall.
• Discovering Families of Planets: Abodes for Life? Under what conditions could alien life survive on planets? Hear the latest on the possibility of life-bearing planets in our quadrant of the galaxy with Astronomy Professor Geoffrey Marcy 11:00 a.m. - noon in 1 Pimentel Hall.
• Saint-Saëns Cello Concerto. Enjoy the Music Department's University Symphony Orchestra, with David Milnes, director, and Michael Schein, soloist, performing the Saint-Saëns cello concerto 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. on Hertz Hall Stage.
• Counting in the Dark: The Census and the Concept of Race. While "scientific" concepts of race have been generally abandoned, social concepts of race continue to be defined and used in the U.S. Census. How do we understand the necessity for racial classification, and what meaning does it have for group claims for recognition, the formation of multiracial identities, and issues such as racial profiling? Ethnic Studies Professor Michael Omi speaks noon - 1:00 p.m. in 3 LeConte Hall.
• Literary Giants Read from their Greatest Works. Hear English Professor Robert Hass, former Poet Laureate of the United States, esteemed writer Professor Ron Loewinsohn of the English Department, and students read from their collective works 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. in 312 Wheeler Hall
• The Molecular & Cell Biology of Infectious Disease: From Food Poisoning to Bioterrorism. Learn about infectious microorganisms, ones that can infect our food and ones that are potential threats in other ways. Molecular & Cell Biology Professor Daniel Portnoy presents this lecture 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. in 2060 Valley Life Sciences Building.
• What We Didn't Know Last Year—Stories of People Discovering Things at Cal. What a difference a year makes! Find out about recent physics discoveries at UC Berkeley with Physics Professor Robert Jacobsen 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in 2 LeConte Hall.
• Should the U.S. Adopt a Pre-emptive Military Strategy? The national security grand strategy of the United States has moved from containment and deterrence to pre-emption of possible adversaries. Is this desirable? What are the costs and benefits, the risks and potential upsides, for global politics and for domestic political life inside America? Political Science Professor Steven Weber talks 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. in 145 Dwinelle.

This list represents a sample of the lectures and events offered by L&S units and hints at the multitude of opportunities available to L&S students throughout their educational careers. Choosing among so many resources can be a challenge, so College advisors will be available all day to discuss with current and prospective students ways in which to take best advantage of their years at Cal. College advising booths will be located at the Information Marketplace and in front of Campbell Hall.

Visit biology lab demonstrations and meet a shingleback skink (Tiliqua rugosus), an Australian reptile also known as a double-headed lizard. G. Shiffrar photo

See the Cal Day website for visitor tips and an overview of the events. The full program will be available online April 1. Check out the "Student Opportunities, Services, & Activities" section in the program for other student-oriented events such as "Showtime on Sproul," which features student performances, and "Freshman 15: Cal Exposed," a panel of Cal students talking about campus life. The listing also makes special note of events for kids, such as Archaeology's "Play with Clay," "Young People's Music Fair" (Kindergarten to College), and the Museum of Paleontology's and "Fun with Fossils."

Come join the fun!