CLASS ACT

To give you a taste of the challenging and interesting courses that Albright faculty and students are engaged in today, our “Class Act” feature highlights a current Albright course.

ECO289, REL289, IDS289 – Japanese Religion and Philosophy and its Impact on Business Practice

Professors : Victor Forte, Ph.D., religious studies; Richard Schott, economics and business; Lisa Wilder, Ph.D., economics and business

Course Description – Explores the influences of traditional Japanese philosophy and religion on the ways in which business is conducted in the contemporary Japanese workplace. A nine-day tour of Japan allows students to observe these forces at work.

What Faculty Say – “Students get the opportunity to experience the contemporary Japanese world in order to deepen their understanding of alternative ways in which human beings can live and find meaning. By combining the course with an interdisciplinary study of Japanese business practices, the students are also able to consider how religious tradition permeates the institutions of a society.”
– Professor Victor Forte

What Students Say – “As a religious studies major, I have become acquainted with many world religions. However, I have found that Buddhism, along with most Eastern thought, has become my passion. The trip to Japan was not only an amazing adventure, it was a chance to experience first-hand this passion. It was an experience I will never forget.”
– Amy Defibaugh ’09

“The blending of academic analysis and ‘real-life’ engagement with Japanese culture helped foster genuine insight and perspective from within. While it is difficult to fully express the nuances of my personal experience in Japan, I can attest to the profound cerebral and spiritual benefits of exploring Far Eastern culture first-hand, and recommend the journey to anyone looking to expand his or her cultural horizons.”
– Jeremy Gillam ’08

“After studying and traveling to Japan I have a better understanding and appreciation for Japanese tradition and culture. Learning the business practices of a different country provided insight into international business affairs. Being a co-concentrator in business administration and sociology, the tour of Japan provided me with an education that I wouldn’t have necessarily received inside the classroom.”
– Stacy Lynn Bampton ’09

Partial List of Texts – Thomas P. Kasulis, Shinto: The Way Home; Takie Sugiyama, Japanese Patterns of Behavior; Ohnuki-Tierney Emiko, Rice as Self: Japanese Identities Through Time; Robert Whiting, You Gotta Have Wa.

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Help Us Solve a Mystery!

On the cover of the summer issue of The Albright Reporter, we ran a photo of Marcus Green, D.Sc., professor of biology, and three of his students. At the time of publication we did not know the identity of the students in the photo. We have since learned the names of two. On the far right is Lowell Wesley Perry, M.D. ’57. Next to him is Robert J. Durrwachter, M.D. ’57. We would love to know the identity of the student next to Professor Green’s famous skeleton. Do you know who it is? Please let us know! Contact Jennifer Post Stoudt at jstoudt@alb.edu or 610-921-7526.

Albright Affirms Commitment to Low-Income Students

Albright recently became a charter member of the CollegeKeys Compact, a project of the College Board to support college success for disadvantaged students. As one of the first 500 institutions to join, Albright has pledged to intensify its already strong efforts to ensure access and success for low-income students.

According to the College Board, the program is working to improve students’ competence and confidence. College Board research showed that nearly half of college-qualified low- and moderate-income highschool graduates do not enroll in a four-year college because of a combination of poor preparation, low expectations and financial barriers. According to Greg Eichhorn, vice president of enrollment management and dean of admission, Albright has an excellent track record of making college possible for low-income students, with an outstanding orientation program, academic support and extensive scholarship and financial aid opportunities.

Eichhorn also noted that the College’s recent move to make SAT and Act exams optional encourages low-income students who have the potential to succeed but may not do well on standardized testing.

“We have always done a very good job of encouraging and supporting students at risk,” Eichhorn said. “We are pleased to join a network of colleges to further this important work.”