Posts tagged bennington college

Students of color! From what I see in pictures, there's always white students interacting with other white students. Socially, do you non-white students feel left out or excluded? Or do you think your skin color has nothing to with anything and no one could even care less? — Asked by Anonymous

I asked my friend Sara Green to answer this one — she’s an expert.
-Alan ‘15

Hey! It’s really neither. Instead what you have is sort of an awkwardness when questions or comments about race are brought up. My experience has been that people would rather not talk about race- students of color and white students alike. Alas, hope is alive! Recently, there has been a small group of students that is creating spaces to talk about race in academic and student-led spaces. I could talk forever about race at Bennington. Email me if you want to keep talking; there are a lot of intricacies in the conversation. (sgreen@bennington.edu)

Hi, if I haven't gotten any course registration/housing stuff, should I be worried? I know it's supposed to come mid-May, but it seems like other people have gotten it. — Asked by Anonymous

Don’t worry! If it still hasn’t come through in a couple of days I recommend shooting your councilor an email or giving the office a call: 800-833-6845. You’ll have plenty of time to fill everything out. In the meantime… 

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-Selina ‘15

Is there a pdf available of the course curriculum for the coming term? — Asked by Anonymous

Just this online link.

-Selina ‘15

Give peace a chance people. 

Heat!  Ceramics!  Outdoor kilns! Final projects!

I am in a project-based ceramics class called Grand Vessel in which we are looking at what vessels have shown us throughout history and how we define a vessel today. Myself and my friend Nina are firing our pieces in a once fired soda-ash kiln this week. On Monday we bricked the wall to our “Salty Dog”. Yesterday we started our firing and have continued to control the slow climb of temperature, turning it up every two hours or so. I went to bed at 1:30 am last night when it was at 847 degrees Fahrenheit and now it is almost 2000 degrees. We will be adding the soda-ash solution to the kiln tonight once it is at cone 10!!! Can’t wait to see what comes of this kiln. It is always a surprise taking down that door. I will post a “results” post once things cool down.


-Alana ‘15

Are you guys gonna make a map of where all the incoming freshman class is from like there was last year? That was pretty cool.. — Asked by Anonymous

I’ll be around this summer and that sounds like a great project! I’ll keep you updated. Glennis will also be around and since she studies design I bet we could come up with something good. 

Looking forward to it!

-Selina ‘15 

Hi! So I've been hearing a lot about something called "Greenwall" lately. What is it, and is it really that bad? — Asked by Anonymous

Every Bennington student has a Greenwall story. It’s the registration event that takes place in Greenwall Auditorium where you can add or drop classes for the upcoming term. It can be stressful but if you just take a deep breath and realize that your life doesn’t depend on securing the perfect schedule you’ll be fine. Teachers are very reasonable and if there’s a class you really want you can always get on the wait list and keep showing up until they let you in. Michael’s looking nervous but really don’t freak out!

-Selina and Michael ‘15

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What is the social science major like? What careers can you get from a social science degree? — Asked by Anonymous

Bennington approaches education from a different foundation than what you’d typically find in a major/minor system. Here’s a great explanation of Bennington’s divergence from that system.

After checking in with a resident Anthropology professor here, the social science skills you acquire at Bennington could be utilized through a couple different dimensions. Firstly, studying social science hones your critical thinking skills, which are especially relevant to life in a post modern world. More concretely, you could pursue a career in the NGO/non-profit sector, civil society, international relations, or academia among other things. Typically after getting a BA social science students go onto grad school though many work for a couple years beforehand.

-Michael and Selina ‘15

Is FWT major specific? or can I do anything I find interesting ? — Asked by Anonymous

That really depends. In my experience my advisor has pushed me to pursue FWTs related to my plan and areas of concentration. However, if you found a position that really peaked your interest chances are you can relate in some way to what you’re studying, even if the connection isn’t super explicit. Below are some photos of the globe outside the FWT office with colored dots indicating FWT sites. Big cities like New York always clock in with the 100+ count!

-Selina ‘15

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Bennington Vermonster

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Bennington Vermonster is the school’s first club ultimate team, formed in the Fall of 2012. We take our name from a mythical beast that haunts the path to Jennings–Goat Boy, the Vermonster. 

There are hundreds of beautiful photos of Bennington throughout history but I think the pictures of the school in it’s earliest form are particularly beautiful and haunting. These are some of my favorite photos of the school from the 1930’s and 40’s. Particularly interesting is the 1940’s war farm, pictured last.

-Riley ‘13 

Hi, I was wondering if Bennington College has double majors?

Hi! Because of how our academic program works we don’t really have majors and minors. We have something called the Plan Process which you can read about here: http://www.bennington.edu/Academics/BenningtonEducation/PlanProcess.aspx

The basic answer is that we believe in studying multiple disciplines. My main interest is how people are responsive to music and how we can use that information to be more compelling as composers and performers. That interest has allowed me to study in many areas through the lens of music. Some people will have two main interests, sort of like a major/minor or double major program. Some people have many or just one. At Bennington we believe that people need to have room to study broadly in order to have a unique perspective on their area(s) of interest. 

I hope this helps!

-Riley ‘13

vivalatinkk:

Jennings looks extra byootiful today! (at Jennings)

vivalatinkk:

Jennings looks extra byootiful today! (at Jennings)

how is the film program here? — Asked by Anonymous

First, there is no film program here, there are no programs here at all for any subject, we simply have two faculty members who teach film (both named Kate), one technician (not named Kate), some great film classes, a studio, and lots of equipment to check out. From those resources you get to build your own film education. 

Film, like all areas of study at Bennington, requires you to jump right in and, after a short tutorial on the equipment, start making! You will learn techniques and other technical information as you make the films so that the learning is meaningful. The coolest thing about film to me is that it is the beautiful empty container that you get to fill with whatever fascinates you. Of course you also have four Field Work Terms in which you can get experience with different aspects of film outside of Bennington. 

Check out this great interview with Justine, a senior, who made a film for her senior work. She studies French and when it came time for her to propose her senior thesis she found a story she had to tell. It is premiering Saturday on campus and I am really looking forward to seeing it. 

Email me if you have more questions or want to talk further about this. glennish@bennington.edu

-Glennis