Culture Studies Blog post #1

I chose this class mainly because I was a transfer student and as most new students/transfer students know its almost impossible to get any classes because they are all full. However, I do believe in fate and everything happens for a reason, and I knew the second we started talking during out first class I would enjoy it. I absolutely love discussion classes and my past college lacked that as well as the diversity which I am all ready experiencing here at Columbia. 

As I said earlier I didn't exactly choose culture studies it chose me, as cliche as that is; but I believe culture is anything you can prove it is. Whether it is to yourself/friends/family/United States/World. It is a multi layered/culture/vast subject that can never be fully determined or defined. It is also heavily influenced by our backgrounds and lifestyles, I am a adopted kid from New Jersey who grew up in the smallest upper middle class town. My ideas and thoughts were shaped by education, family, friends, and personal experiences, however someone who had the slightest difference of attaining and experiencing all that I have will have a completely different perspective on the world and culture in general.  I think this is what really fascinates me about culture. The only way I can explain my idea of culture is to reference your generic Microsoft powerpoint pie chart. My culture is a mixture of all the percentages that have ever influenced me and my life; a small example would be any of the following; Experiences, music, movies, family, friends etc and so forth. This is what culture is to me, and I hope to learn and evolve my idea of it in this class.

Matt