Alpha Theta Phi Chapter - Phi Theta Kappa - LaGuardia Community College

By Jocelyn Perez For thousands of years, gender has shaped societies. Humans have placed each sex into a category in itself, creating roles each spouse is expected to follow. Further, although the law might suggest otherwise, men and women are still not considered equal. In many cultures, men have maintained an autocratic stance, keeping women on the sidelines as homemakers and nurturers. This idea of male domination versus female limitation is instilled in the teachings of Islam, and can have dire consequences for women who challenge their subordination. For the sake of restoring honor to a family, wife murder is a common practice in several Arab nations. The family’s reputation is valued above all, even human life. If a threat arises, a man will kill his sister, his daughter, and even his wife, to see the balance restored once again. The act of honor killing is perceived as the cleansing of “an unbearable stain” notably referred to as “ghasalat al arr, which means washing away the sh...

By Luis K. Feliz I fell in love with Vassar College during the Exploring Transfer Program in the summer of 2008. I remember walking into Dr. Mills’s office in Swift Hall and not being turned away, but rather leaving with a new book to add to my reading list. The fact that not only was Dr. Mills available to meet with me, but also genuinely cared about my ideas, reflects Vassar’s commitment to the intellectual growth of every student and to promoting a love of learning for its own sake. The individual attention and the close-knit residential community at Vassar transformed me. Unlike, a larger city-based commuter school, like LaGuardia Community College, where professors teach up to four classes a semester, Vassar was much more intimate, a supportive intellectual community built upon collaborative learning. Experiencing Vassar in this capacity gave me the opportunity to glimpse a different college experience. The intellectual exchange among students was another aspect of my experience a...

By Luis K. Feliz Friedrick Nietzsche observes that “morality is the herd-instinct in the individual.” On the other hand, Alfred North Whitehead maintains that “what is morality in any given time or place? It is what the majority then and there happen to like, and immorality is what they dislike.” You should see these quotes as points of departure or teasers to goad your ideas. You don’t need to respond to the quotes above, simply express your opinion on the following questions: 1) What is morality? Where or how did you learn to be a moral human being? 2) Does the definition of morality change over time? 3) What is your definition of morality? Please share your thoughts by posting your comments below and don't forget to write your name when you post your response.

By Jocelyn Perez He has done it yet again! World renowned author, field biologist and vice president of the Wildlife Conservation Society, George Beals Schaller, has truly proved his worth to the conservationist community with his book The Naturalist and other Beasts. Although it is not necessarily a new release, it is one of Schaller’s latest works, compiling some of his most noted articles, essays and intriguing excerpts from his previous publications. Within the passages are tales of his experiences in the field, firsthand accounts of his interactions with various threatened or endangered species, including mountain gorillas and Serengeti lions. He also elaborates, on many occasions, the need for humankind to correct the reckless consumer lifestyle and have more regard for the other inhabitants with whom we share this planet. Schaller’s accounts take us across the globe, from the woodlands of North America to the plains of Africa to the mountains of China. His words ...

By Jocelyn Perez Just over the Atlantic, the region of Terracina, Italy has been the site of serious ecological debate. It has been devastated by large quantities of pollutants and has been left in abandonment for decades. This area used to be home to the Pontine Marshlands, which were drained under Mussolini’s instructions after being blamed for the malaria epidemics of the 1930’s. Six pumps were used to drain the marsh, leaving behind enough fertile soil for the farmers, and dry land to use as the foundation of the city Latina. The canal that runs through the area has been collecting the city’s garbage, chemicals from the pharmaceutical factories, and fertilizer run-off from neighboring farms. The water that comes from the mountains is, relatively pure, but as it makes its way downhill it becomes heavily contaminated. Farmers use these waters to irrigate their crops, and many fishermen have made a living by placing nets along the banks. The pumps are still in place to prevent overflo...

The All-USA Academic Team program annually recognizes three, 20-member "Teams" of outstanding two-year college students, offering stipends of $2,500 each to the top 20 students. All receive extensive national recognition through coverage in USA TODAY. The top-scoring applicant for the All-USA Academic Team in each state is named a New Century Scholar . The New Century Scholars program is sponsored annually by the American Association of Community Colleges, The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, and Phi Theta Kappa. First or second year community college students planning to continue their education at a two-year institution may be nominated by their college to apply for the $1,000 Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship administered by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Find out more about Phi Theta Kappa's involvement with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation . Students nominated to the All-USA Academic Team are automatically named to the All-S...

By Andrea Torres This year Alpha Theta Phi is running the Letter to a Friend essay contest that we began last year with the support of the LaGuardia Foundation. The inauguration of the contest during the 2007-2008 academic year is special because it was created by students who understood the pressures of college. In the peer to peer spirit the contest's focus was to convince a friend not to drop out of college. The 100 hypothetical letters we received were all too real and they reflected the struggles students face in today's community college experience. The impact the letters had on the Foundation and supporting faculty and administration has provided Phi Theta Kappa with the funds to run the contest again. This time the chapter wishes to highlight on the 2008-2010 Honor Study Topic-Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges, and Consequences by asking competing students: How has money affected your education? How would you convince the government to invest more money into pub...