When you’re at college, gaining knowledge shouldn’t end when you leave the classroom. On Oct. 30, the “What Are Fuzzy Boundaries between Self and Society?” seminar took place at the Forum.

Kathryn Adams, the co-chair of the Year Of committee, explained how the seminar allowed Moorpark students and faculty to share their thoughts about the topic with each other.

“It’s about opening and expanding, which is limitless,” Adams said.

The seminar was a chance for students and faculty to discuss social and philosophical issues while sharing their personal observations and experiences.  It was an experience that could not have taken place in just one class, as students from all over Moorpark were able to come together to discuss these issues. 

Attendees were each given a handout that contained two poems by the20 century Irish poet W.B. Yeats as well as quotes from several authors and leaders, from John F. Kennedy to Henry David Thoreau. The seminar began with philosophy professor Jerry Caplan reciting the two poems, “The Lake Isle of Innisfree” and “The Coat.” Students shared their interpretations of these poems, as they both pertained to the theme by questioning the place of the individual in society, and if there is a way for the individual to escape society.

The discussion moved on to Caplan and Adams, as they showed a picture of a target with self in the center, then family, the community, the country, and the world emerging outward. With this, Caplan, Adams, and attendees spoke about various issues about this drawing, from what defines a community to whether the individual is only out for the individual or for the greater society.

The issue of social networking and its effects on society was the topic that garnered the most attention, as more attendees spoke about it than any other at the seminar. With that, the effect of Facebook was brought up, as they debated over whether it brought people together or only shared an idealized version of the self, distorting how society views the individual.

The seminar was originally supposed to end at 2 p.m. However, the attendees were discussing for so long that Adams had to wrap it up 20 minutes late so the next class could begin. Adams explains how this prolongation was beneficial to the Year Of’s message, as it showed that the students still had a lot to say.

“Seminars should [make students] feel like they have more to say instead of feeling finished,” Adams said.

Though some students were either offered to or had to attend the seminar as an assignment, they still found it to be worthwhile. Adrian Carcione, a double major in Anthropology and Math, explained how the topic of the seminar affected his perspective on self and society.

“It causes me to evaluate my life in the large context of society and what it is that I’m doing what I’m doing at a particular time,” said Carcione.

Other students, like philosophy Jay Woodward, said the seminar displays the best of what Moorpark has to offer.

“It’s a rare and unique opportunity to experience what college is about,” Woodward said.

With such a positive response from Moorpark students, Adams has even more positive expectations for future events.

“I just hope more of the same and I hope students come and participate actively,” said Adams. “[Students} should always feel like a participant, not an audience.”