Complex Problems/Creative Solutions
A Brand New Opportunity . . . To Learn about a Brand New World . . . In a Brand New Way
CP/CS is a unique program that enables you to focus on solving complex problems creatively while taking no extra or different courses. We will be examining the unintended consequences of consumerism and view this topic from several different disciplines. CP/CS students explore: what we buy, why we buy, how we buy, what we do with our purchased products/services while they’re useful and afterwards, as well as the individual more universal consequences of these transactions. This program is a “value added” opportunity to Bentley’s strong curriculum.
CP/CS consists of courses you would have to take anyway. And, the CP/CS courses help you to meet degree requirements. So, there are no extra or different courses. It’s just that in your CP/CS-designated sections of your regular courses, you will have slightly different readings or assignments. You will also be part of an academic team that is very interested in pursuing these issues. CP/CS students get together periodically with CP/CS professors to compare experiences, synthesize what they have learned, and get involved in one or more projects outside of the classroom. Some of our activities include meeting for dinner and synthesizing class work with CP/CS concepts: problem solving, sustainability, and the unintended consequences of consumerism. We are focusing on ourselves as individuals with an inventory of our trash production. And we are taking on a major project in our community to process 125 computers in a variety of conditions from a local school. We organized them, tested some, determined which ones are usable and which ones need to be ethically recycled. We will continue this project in the fall. Our goal is to be able to "reuse" many of these older computers and gift them to schools and community members in need.
Recognized and supported by a grant from the Davis Educational Foundation, the CP/CS pilot initiative will help you to enhance your creative problem-solving skills as you prepare to use your learning in practical ways. The Davis Educational Foundation was established by Stanton and Elisabeth Davis after Mr. Davis's retirement as chairman of Shaw's Supermarkets, Inc.
