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Kevin McCambley is taking a trip around the world this semester from several different perspectives, from thoughts and ideas to a study of diverse cultures.
“I like the core courses that you have to take at Temple because it pushes you to think about concepts that you might not if you didn’t have these classes. In Intellectual Heritage 52, right now we’re studying the philosophies of Thomas Jefferson and John Locke and moving toward the Enlightenment,” Kevin said. “This is where concepts such as equal rights, freedom of speech, and democracy came from. A course like this broadens your own thoughts and ideas — it’s a good background to have.”
In Cultures of the World, another core course offered at Temple, Kevin is receiving an introduction to anthropology.
“One class assignment which I thought was interesting had us interviewing someone else in class from an anthropological standpoint. You have to ask thoughtful questions, not just their name or where they’re from — that doesn’t really tell you anything about their background or culture,” he said. “Instead you might ask their opinion on a certain political system, questions that require thoughtful answers and require you to dig deeper.”
Kevin said the course books are equally intriguing, including Golden Arches East. If golden arches made you think about McDonald’s you’re right on the money.
“It’s an interesting look at how a corporation like McDonald’s operates differently here and in Asia,” he said. “Another book, In Search of Respect, is about a three-year anthropological study of Harlem. It’s a hard look at whether stereotypes are upheld or not upheld within the cultures that live in the neighborhood.”
During class, Kevin also learned about a study abroad program offered by Temple in India, a one month, six credit course that studies the culture of India by placing the student within it. Kevin has his sites set on studying abroad during his time at Temple. He’s just not quite sure where he wants to land yet.
“I think I’d like to study in Rome or Japan,” he said. “Fortunately I have a lot of options here.”
Thanks to his film art course, Introduction to Film, Kevin might also have a new appreciation for the in-flight movie.
“It’s a writing-intensive course. So far we’ve been watching older movies such as Battleship Potemkin, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, and The Philadelphia Story,” he said. “We’ve been studying different camera and lighting techniques used in the films, the level of sophistication then and now. I love watching movies so this class definitely fits as an elective.”
Kevin’s own film tastes tend toward more modern fare, from the comedy Tommy Boy to the twisty M. Night Shyamalan thriller The Sixth Sense. His favorite all-around film is Academy Award winner Forrest Gump.
Kevin also found an unexpected link between his film class and this anthropology class — Bollywood.
“Bollywood in India is similar to what Hollywood is here. The number of movies they put out a year is unbelievable,” he said. “They put out a ton of movies! It’s definitely a different approach to film.”
Now in his second semester of the Community and Regional Planning undergraduate degree program, Kevin is beginning to get into the nitty gritty of what it will mean to be a planning professional.
In Land Use Planning, a Community and Regional Planning elective open to all Temple students, the class is made up of predominantly planning students with a few Environmental Studies majors thrown in for good measure, among others.
“It’s a course that covers everything you could possibly want to know in the profession about land use planning. If you are considering a profession in community and regional planning, if you’re going to be an environmentalist, a developer, or a municipal official, this is the essential introduction you need,” Kevin said. “It covers specific types of land use, when and where they are appropriate; different circumstances that are likely to occur and how to deal with them.”
Kevin’s other Community and Regional Planning course for the spring, Housing and Community Development, focuses on “the best way to plan neighborhoods,” Kevin said, taking into account open space, water resources, and other key ingredients essential for modern communities.
In each semester, Kevin said, he is trying to strike a balance between his classes.
“I try to create a mix of core courses, electives, and my major courses. I’ve nearly completed my core courses,” he said. “At one point in the near future I’ll likely decide where I’d like to specialize in Community and Regional Planning — urban or suburban planning, transportation, water. The great thing about this degree is that you can decide to work in one field when you graduate but the curriculum is so broad that your decision doesn’t close off other options in the field.”
Outside of the classroom, Kevin continues to work to help pay for tuition, but he has made room for some time off with a trip to Ft. Lauderdale planned for Spring Break. Like every other Philadelphia Eagles fan, he was also eagerly anticipating the team’s first trip to the Super Bowl in 24 years. His guess prior to the game Eagles 24, Patriots 21 — a startling prediction…if only the numbers had come out the right way.
Looking back at last semester, Kevin believes it was a good beginning for his transition into Community and Regional Planning.
“I entered the program without knowing much about it, but it definitely was the right decision for me, he said. “I’m beginning to develop my own ideas on planning, the planning field, and what I would like to do as a professional. It was a good start that I want to continue to build on.”
This is the fourth part of an “A Year in the Life” series featuring Kevin McCambley. Kevin, who lives in Horsham, began his first year in the Community and Regional Planning program at Temple University Ambler in 2005.
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