From reading Klein and Kolbert's thoughts on the relationship between capitalism and climate change, I feel like there's this hope and belief that human's can and will take action against the further progression of climate change. While I do share that same hope, I still think it's unlikely. Before encountering these readings, I never really thought much of how capitalism and climate change were intertwined. I knew that a consumer-based society promoted the exploitation of the earth, but I never connected the consumer-based society back to captialism, in which it is rooted. I think that looking at the superficial causes such as driving too much, cutting down too many trees, like we tend to do.

"It’s directed my academic focus and confirmed my ability to look at the big picture." (Student Interview, March 4th, 2015)

“I sort of carried this 360º into my Hanna Holbern Grey research and my thesis […] so I guess this awareness of ethnicities […] followed me with the following pieces."
(Student Interview, February 9th, 2015)

Blanketing obscurity

scrutinizing my insecurities.

Everything smells moist.

Why are our roots, ourstory not voiced?

Pine and cinnamon circling my nose

my confusions and discomfort I cannot fully disclose.

Reforming in the embedding, moist leaves,

the branching flux interweaves.

Sheltered by interlocking lacework

protection, maneuvering the perpetual networks.

Green bulbs on sprouting trees

accountability and purpose kindle my unease.

Disconcerted in the known

our responsibility, the interconnections, I must postpone.

Struggling, craving to feel

unconscious searching I conceal.

Crossing, fluctuating inhibitions

invasive limbs changing conditions.

Research has associated both learning communities and interdisciplinary learning with positive outcomes, but this also seems to be echoed by students in 360ºs:

90% of survey respondents reported gaining at least some sense of belonging as a result of their 360º experience.

"I crave that connection –– that personal connection between my fellow students and my professors and being able to bring my own stories to the table and my feelings.” (Student Interview, February 27th, 2015)

"The best thing I can do is share my passion for learning and for math, you know, be my authentic self in that regard, and so letting students see that and interact with me in the 360º –– I felt like that was me at my best." (Faculty Interview, March 19th, 2015)

Since the 1970s there has been consistent overrepresentation of minorities, particularly African Americans, in special education programs. Today, many more people are identified with learning disabilities. The overrepresentation of minority students is an increasingly important issue as minority students are becoming the majority of public school populations. Teachers refer minority students to special education programs more often than Caucasian students, and teachers mainly refer students to special education programs. Minority students are more often referred to special education programs for behavioral problems than academic issues.

"I don’t speak up as much as I used to in that 360º, because within three weeks we were all pretty comfortable with each other because we had three classes with each other." (Student Interview, February 20th, 2015)

"I could bring my own identity into it and [use] that. So it all felt really real to me, really grounded in reality, which was important to me in picking an academic and professional interest.” (Student Interview, March 4th, 2015)