SPECIAL RELEASE! Two professors on one trip? Another Fall 2021 rock climbing adventure? That’s right! Join psychology professors Leslie Berntsen and Bryan Shilowich on an epic Sunday trip to Malibu. All of the climbs we will be doing are rated 5.9 or below making them very accessible for beginners. Even The Mountain Project’s website writes that, “Everyone's first day of climbing should be at a place like [Point Dume].”
No climbing experience is necessary to go on this trip! Personal climbing gear (shoes, harness, and helmet) will be provided if you do not have your own!
PROFESSOR: Leslie Berntsen
DEPARTMENT: Psychology
SCHOOL: Dornsife
RATE MY PROFESSOR: “BEST PROFESSOR I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE! I ADDED A PSYC MAJOR BECAUSE OF HER AND I CAN'T WAIT TO TAKE PSYC360 WITH HER IN THE FALL.”
Leslie received her Ph.D. in Brain & Cognitive Science from USC and now she's back as a faculty member, teaching Introduction to Psychology and Abnormal Psychology. During her time as a grad student, she was one of the original members of USC's competitive climbing team and also worked with RSVP to help develop the VOICE peer support program for survivors of sexual/gender-based violence. Ask her about using social science to make the world a better place, being a first-generation college student or a student with a disability, and/or her two (flawless) rehabilitated street pups that she found wandering around campus.
PROFESSOR: Bryan Shilowich
DEPARTMENT: Psychology
SCHOOL: Dornsife
RATE MY PROFESSOR: This professor wants you to pass the class, he will answer your 1000 emails and more in order for you to understand the subject.
Bryan received his PhD from USC in Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the end of a very roundabout academic journey - first, getting a BA in Economics (Tufts), then an MS in Neuroscience (Brandeis), and finally landing in the USC Department of Psychology. Presently, he teaches Introduction to Statistics for Psychology. He loves discussing circuitous life paths, all things neuroscience/psychology/consciousness, and the interconnectedness of art, science, and philosophy.
PEAK: Point Dume
DIFFICULTY: 2.5/5
SCENERY: Views of both the ocean AND surrounding mountains as you climb. What more could you ask for?
FUN FACT: Numerous famous movies have scenes set here! Tony Stark’s house in Iron Man was digitally added onto the cliffs of Point Dume.
TRIP LEAD: Bianca
will be (safely) living out her Alex Honnold-Free Solo dreams on this trip.
Contact Bianca: bventola@usc.edu
Read Bianca’s bio here.