Chapter Ten: Breadth of Fresh Air (~jinghan)

I was surprised when I heard that there are mixed reactions about the Melbourne requirement for all students to have a Breadth subject. I, for one, was ecstatic to have one whole subject every semester where I could learn whatever the hell I wanted – regardless of whether it would directly contribute to my future or not. Actually, when I looked at my wonderful and varied list of options, ranging from music, to critical thinking, to humanities, I would have gladly done three breadth subjects and one core subject instead of the other way around.

But alas, I was only allowed the meagre allowance of one per semester and I had to sadly dismiss many of the things I would have been interested in learning such as philosophy, sociology, criminology and everythingology. What I ended up picking for first semester was Poetics of the Body. Now, when asked what my breadth subject is, I have often met the response “is that interpretive dance or something?” In which I respond by inwardly sighing and going into the complicated process of explanation – which I often muddle in my enthusiasm for the subject.

Poetics of the Body is a subject organised by the people down at the VCA (Victorian College of the Arts) just a short tram ride away from Melbourne Parkville campus. If anything come close to everythingology, this is it. We have different guest speakers come in every week to talk to us about a variety of topics, including things like freudian philosophy, early film, epigenetic, martial arts, visual arts, body dimorphic disorders. This is followed up by class discussion (which may break down into a strange debate about hotornot.com) and a reflective journal entry. What I love about the subject is that you can think whatever the hell you want. Actually our very first lecture was all about how academic teaching teaches children to always be anxious about giving the “right” answer, and hence stifling their ability for creative thinking. I was in love with the subject barely before I knew what it was about. Oh, and apparently what ties the subject together is the body which was introduced to us as the intersection of all human experience.

On the week end, I spent two whole days, attending a martial arts workshop for the subject: we had to choose one of four workshops on which we have to write a 1000 word reflective essay on later – to any arts student who has to write essays of much larger scope and research depth this must have been a complete joke. Needless to say it was brilliant to just chill for a whole week end, listen to quirky – but relatable – chinese fables, meditation and simple martial arts. I came out of it all on a cloud of untouchable calm and optimism – despite giving up a whole precious weekend of study and going out. After so much time spent at the desk, and squashed into a lecture hall it was brilliant to go outside and do something purely physical and spiritual and get out of your head.

For our class this week, instead of sitting in a lecture hall, we all went down to the Cunningham Dax collection – a gallery of art by people diagnosed with mental disorders: some donated by artists, and art students, some were therapeutic art from the old psychiatric hospitals. After a brief talk by the curator, we were given free rein to wander around the exhibition. I found myself absorbed by the personal reflections of the artists as much as their artwork, even somewhat relating to the feelings of these people who have suffered depression, anorexia or even paranoia. My journal entry about this weeks seminar promises to be a long one, full of emotions and astonishment.

Of course, some people choose a more sober, academic breadth option that will enhance their employability, or do a language diploma which requires all your breadth to be reserved for that language. I was talking to my lab partners in Physics today about their breadth. One was doing Accounting (and hating it) and one was doing Sports Coaching (and loving it), and a good proportion of the economics subject is comprised of students not doing commerce. Personally, I think breadth should be an escape from the style of your other subjects, it should be something that allows you to open your mind, think differently and explore your passion for learning. Why should it be for equipping you with employable skills if the subject is going to add more stress to your workload without adding enjoyment? If you wanted to dabble into economics then maybe you should have chosen a bachelor of commerce.

Though, to be fair on those who are against the idea of breadth, apparently many art students are limited in their choices because they have a compulsory IDF subject (interdisciplinary something or rather) as well and hence only two subject spaces left for their choice of favourite arts subjects, or one if they are doing a language.

Anyway, from the perspective of a science student who is interested in too many things, breadth subjects are a brilliant way to learn what you could not make your core study. Some people say, learn something you could not learn from reading a book. Next semester, I am probably going to take the breadth subject: Riffs – an introduction to the acoustic guitar. A subject for anyone without any prior knowledge of the guitar, and an insight into various music styles featuring the guitar. Can’t wait! – Just have to save up for a guitar.

Breadth subjects should be the highlight of your week, and an enrichment of your education – not something to grumble about. Do you want to spend the whole of three years tediously being plugged with knowledge from just one area of study?