124WINTER ACADEMICS TO SATISFY THE LIBERAL ARTS REQUIREMENTS at Harding, students were required to take a physical science course. In spring 2022, a newly formatted Chemistry and Culture class was offered to fulfill the physical science requirement. The class, taught by assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry Chantelle Taylor, focused specifically on forensics. “Chemistry and Culture is going to be offered every other spring semester as a liberal arts science class,” Taylor said. “Previously, it has been taught with an emphasis on art and cooking. The chemistry department chair, Dr. Cindy White, thought it might be interesting to teach it with an emphasis on forensic science this year.” The course was three days a week with a lecture followed by a lab. Students learned the chemistry behind basic forensic principles before practicing them through experimentation. Some of the topics covered included chemistry of the blood and tests used to identify it, how fingerprints were deposited and detected, and the composition and analysis of duct tapes. The course was designed to introduce chemistry as an approachable discipline with practical and professional uses. Freshman Maryella Baker was interested in taking the course for this reason. Baker favored humanities classes and was eager to explore the sciences in a practical manner. “I’ve never been a science person,” Baker said. “This is a class that truly sounds interesting and also covers the science credit that I’m going to need at some point. Just the name of the class makes me feel excited.” Sophomore Morgan Kirby was enrolled in another one of Taylor’s forensics classes. Kirby hoped to pursue forensic psychology in the future, and this class encouraged her in that direction. “The classes have invigorated me to further pursue my passion of serving others through psychology and the justice system,” Kirby said. “I’ve seen my experience thus far as an affirmation from Christ that I’ve made the right decision in regards to my career choice.” Taylor hoped that the basic course would pique the interest of those who had not found their realm of study. “Don’t be intimidated by chemistry,” Taylor said. “We are going to make it fun and learn about it through something exciting. Anybody can learn, and we are going to learn.” WRITTEN BY HANNAH DILES The Chemistry and Culture course focuses on forensics to make chemistry more approachable. Positive Reactions
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