Hey all! I'm Batu. I'm a '26 from Istanbul, Turkey, and I am passionate about the cognitive science of design, developmental psychology, aesthetics research, postcolonial literature, and social media marketing! Be sure to reach out with questions about exploring the liberal arts, learning a new language at Dartmouth, cafes in town (one of my favorite blog series dare I say), study abroad programs, and research on campus!
Writing 5 is one of the courses that count towards the first-year writing requirement. The course covered content relating to the self, transformation, and social dynamics relating to majority and minority. Dr. Godley is simply phenomenal. Her instruction was extremely accessible even though she covered intense topics. I could not have enjoyed my Writing 5 more!
Design Thinking was above and beyond my expectations. The course is structured around weekly projects, where we apply different cognitive strategies to cover topics like design principles, human need-finding, brainstorming, scenario building, and visual thinking.
Introduction to Cognitive Science covers a variety of fields including psychology, computer science, linguistics, and philosophy to provide insight into cognitive processes. This course helped me develop an understanding of all facets of cognitive science and which ones I would be interested in further pursuing as part of my major.
SummerIstanbul, Turkey
I was home during my first summer! A non-exhaustive list of things I've done includes sunbathing, coding my personal blog, and going on runs. #rest #relaxation
Psychology 10 is a deep dive into almost everything you might need to become well-versed in conducting research, analyzing data, and interpreting findings in a statistically sound manner. Professor Pfister is the most approachable professor I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. Statistics isn't exactly my forté, but I now feel confident in my stats foundation!
I loved taking this class with Madame Alverde, a professor from Université Toulouse ; Jean Jaures was an incredible experience. She made sure to correct our mistakes on the spot and improve them eloquently.
This course allowed me to explore the intersection of aesthetics and digital media, focusing on how digital environments reshape traditional concepts like materiality and form. I particularly enjoyed comparing human and AI-generated analyses of art and examining the frameworks that shape contemporary digital studies, from visual culture to design philosophy.
SummerHanover, NH
I was on campus pursuing full-time research in the Cognitive Science department. My research focuses on children's capacity to imagine and reason about possibilities!
Taught by Professor Andrew Simon, this course explored histories of the Middle East and North Africa through film, media, and supporting texts. From French Algeria to the Armenian Genocide and the Egyptian Revolution, each week centered on critical engagement with audiovisual material and primary sources. Through reflections, discussions, and a final research project, students examined how media shapes collective memory and questions of voice, power, and resistance. Thoughtful, rigorous, and deeply transformative, this course reshaped how I think about both history and storytelling.
This course offered a dynamic exploration of Paris’s art and architecture, grounding students in the city’s cultural and historical foundations. Weekly lectures established a theoretical framework spanning Paris’s origins, key art movements, and the evolution of its monuments. Our Wednesday site visits made this course truly unforgettable, where we stood before the very landmarks we studied, turning theory into lived experience.
Before diving into the course structure and content, I need to express my appreciation for Professor Andrew Simon and his exceptional approach to teaching. A friend who took this course during their first fall at Dartmouth spoke so highly of the professor, particularly how he integrates his media work in Egypt into the curriculum, which led me to my decision to take this course. Words can't fully articulate how integral Professor Simon's expertise and teachings have been to my fall term. His ability to weave his research and firsthand experiences into our discussions elevated every aspect of the class.
The course was thoughtfully structured around media and supporting primary and secondary sources related to issues in North Africa and the Middle East. Each week, we critically examined a wide variety of audiovisual and textual media on topics such as French Algeria, the Armenian Genocide, and the Egyptian Revolution. Throughout all ten weeks of the quarter, I felt empowered to think critically about historiography and the profound role of media in shaping collective consciousness.
I watched most of the syllabus's gut-wrenching films on the treadmill. It's true.
During the first half of the term, we wrote weekly reflections on the assigned content and questions that arose from our engagement with the material. These reflections laid the foundation for class discussions, during which Professor Simon provided historical context and guided us through nuanced conversations about the topics. The structure encouraged both analytical rigor and collaborative learning, ensuring every voice in the room contributed to our understanding.
For my final project, I explored the concept of imagined European identities and their construction through the Eurovision Song Contest. This research allowed me to delve deeply into an area I am passionate about, bringing together media studies, cultural inquiry, and my own perspective.
Ultimately, this course has transformed how I approach media, teaching me to view sources in conversation, extract valuable insights, and recognize the radical potential of film and media in shaping whose voices are amplified and who are silenced. Professor Simon's class was not just an academic journey but a transformative experience—one I will carry with me far beyond Dartmouth.
Professor of English, author of multiple books on American literature, and recipient of fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the American Philosophical Society, and the Mellon Foundation—meet Professor Colleen Boggs.
The big-little process in my sorority has strengthened my bond with my big, fostered new friendships across class years, and deepened my sense of community and belonging on campus.
