What makes you want to be a CRIS major or minor?

I want to major in CRIS because it gives me a better understanding of myself and others. The classes I’ve taken challenge my perspectives and encourage me to think more seriously about identities which are often far different from my own.

If you’ve already taken CRIS courses, what has been your favorite reading orassignment? Why? OR, what CRIS course do you look forward to taking? Why?

Susan Sontag’s “Notes on Camp,” which I read for a CRIS/English class and a CRIS/Music class is one of my favorites. Like so many other concepts in CRIS, camp isn’t easily definable and this essay is an interesting (and dated) exploration of it. It’s also a good example of how a text can be academically provoking without taking the format of a theoretical essay.

What are your CRIS learning goals?

My CRIS goals sum up to being a more considerate and understanding person. At the end of my education, I hope I have been introduced to identities and perspectives which I was unaware of before. Taking a variety of CRIS courses (such as Thinking Queerly and Race and Culture), rather than focusing solely on gender studies, will expose me to more identities and expand my CRIS education.

What do you want to do with your CRIS knowledge/skills in your post-Beloit life?

My goal with CRIS is to become the type of person who encourages others to think from different perspectives. Though I’m not sure what career I want to have after college, I think my CRIS education will be useful in any job I choose.

What would you tell other students thinking about majoring or minoring in CRIS?

CRIS is a really fun major. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every class I’ve taken and I’ve grown to understand myself more in the process. I think everyone should at least take one CRIS class while at Beloit. They breed open-mindedness and respect for many different identities.