Blog 6 (Ideology of Classroom/Campus)

When I think about the "natural" presuppositions in our Cultural Studies classroom, the first thing that comes to mind is the neutrality of the room. There are no pictures on the wall, no school logos, no unique equipment, no fancy chairs/tables, no aesthetic lighting. It seems there's nothing to influence the students before the teacher starts her lesson. However, the absence of overt influences in the room speak to ideologies that foster a "blank slate" environment for the teacher to fill with whatever subject is being taught at that moment. The room immediately tells me, based on what I've been taught in our culture, that I'm there to learn serious information in a professional, adult setting (we are no longer at desks like in high school, but sit around tables that are set up in a horse shoe shape). 

Another "common sense" aspect of the room set-up I unconsciously recognize is the placement of the professor's chair. A bigger and seemingly better chair, placed at the opening of the horse shoe in front of the dry-erase board, is automatically assumed to be the teacher's. No one thinks for a second to sit there as they file into the room. Also, the size the room in comparison to the number of students that fill it, adds to the silent ideology of the class by telling us that it is cramped with students because so many want to go to Columbia. I am one among many who wants to be blessed with the richness of education that the school as to offer and should be thankful there is a place for me in the class. 

In terms of presuppositions of Columbia's architecture I think that the fact that many of the buildings on campus are very old, rehabbed structures gives the students a sense of tradition, wisdom and longevity. We unconsciously assume that Columbia as been around for many, many years, teaching wise lessons that have withstood the test of time. And the fact that the campus is spread out in the urban jungle of Chicago, gives it a sense of hipness and excitement. A College whose simultaneously seems like the wise sage and the hip youth exploring the limits of intellect, while keeping up with the changing times.