8
Monday, May 6, 1974
University Daily Kansan
Future Studies Are More than Fad
By SUZI SMITH
Kansas Staff Reporter
The future isn't what it used to be, say the Science Fiction Writers of America, and a group of faculty members at the University of Kansas agree with them.
These faculty members are part of the World Future Society, beaded by local coordinator William Conboy, professor of speech and drama.
Coboy and five other members of a University steering committee agreed to provide the future
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR CLYDE WALKER will hold an open meeting for all interested University of Kansas students at the UWF and the International Room of the Kansas Union.
DAVE DELLINGER AND LENNOX HINES will speak on "Prisoner's Rights and Resistance within the Penal System" at 8 tonight in the United Middle East Conference, Eight defendant and Hines is the director of the National Conference of Black Lawyers.
PHYSICS COLLOQUIUM will meet at 4:30 p.m. today in Room 332 Malott. Jack Calvahouse, professor of physics and astronomy, will speak on "Chemical-Industrial Mattery Multidisciplinary Accomplements, Opportunities—the View of a Physical Scientist."
MARY ELENE SUTTON, Butler, M. graduate student, will give her organ doctoral recital at 8 tonight in Swarthout Recital Hall.
George's Shop
Phone 843-7164
Smoking Is Our Only Business
Pipes Cigars All Smokers' Supplies Pipe and Lighter Repair
felix
camera
ALPAN, KONICA, LEICA, PENTAX,
CANNON, CAMERAS, LENSES,
and ACCESSORIES.
AGFA-ILFORD Papers & Films
Lawrence Press. 442-5328
2317 Independence Blvd.
Kansas City, Mo. 64124
Besides Conoby, members of the steering committee are Maynard Shelly, professor of psychology; Felix Moas, professor of psychology; James McIntosh, student Studies; James Gunn, lecturer in English and journalism; Ogden Lindsey, professor of education; newly applied director of admissions.
Both Conboy and Moos say student interest has been high.
and trying to provide an interdisciplinary major in future studies.
love is . . .
... wanting to take care of each other ... in your own home purchased from
According to Moos, future studies have been seen as "something not quite academic." He says they have been seen as looking into cristal balls.
Moss planned his "Anthropology of the Future" course for 25 to 35 students, but more than 100 enrolled. Conboy was forced to move his "Concept of the Future in Human Experience" course from a room in Hearst Hall to a larger room in Wescoes Hall.
Although courses about the future have been taught at KU for a number of years, Conboy says, the steering comes more quickly. "If you want speed" he proves that future studies aren't just a fad,
But, Moa says, future studies is a legitimate area of study because there is an interest in the subject.
Future studies, Moos says, "are the analysis of a body of data with a time dimension, which includes past, present and future rather than just past and present."
Conboy says a student with a future studies background learns to be interested in anticipation and prediction and the study of consequences.
He says there are at least three trends in future studies, an interest in the predicted future, an interest in prediction, an interest in the future as a vehicle for thought.
RIDGEVIEW MOBILE HOMES
3020 Iowa St.
Lawrence, Kansas
Baskew
Open 7 a week
According to Corbey, future studies is currently an option for a special major in liberal arts and sciences, but within a year, the steering committee would like to set up a more standard major with a more fully developed set of courses.
Conboy estimated that there were about seven to 10 future studies courses being taught at the University in various departments.
"The local implications are immense,"
CRESCENT APARTMENTS
- Crescent Heights
•Oaks •Acorn
- Gaslight
- Rental Office
1815 W. 24TH
1 and 2 BEDROOM
If You're Planning on FLYING,
Let Maupittur
To the TDEWORK For You!
(NEVER BE AWAY)
from a ticket (airline)
- Silver and Turquoise Indian Jewelry
- Ruby Silt
MUSEUM GIFT SHOP
Open 8-5 Mon.-Sat.
HILLCREST SHOPPING CENTER
- Stained Glass
Museum of Natural History
We are a personal bookstore. We make every effort to get special orders to you promptly. We gift wrap and mail.
SUA / Maupintour travel service
Dyche Hall
1-5 Sun.
FINE SERVICE
Creative Haircutting for Men and Women
ADVENTURE a bookstore
Gentlemen's Quarters
FINE BOOKS Phone 843-6424
843-2719 for appt
PHONE 843-1211 KU Union—The Malls—Hillcrest—900 Mass
Open 9:30-5:30 Mon.-Sat.
W. 9th St. Center
9th & III.
Couny emphasizes that a future studies major is by definition an interdisciplinary field.
says Moos. "Before, the University was entirely in the past."
"We aren't suggesting that future studies is a discipline," he says. "It isn't. It is a way of packaging learning, a new way of bringing things together."
Mos says the dimension of the future could serve to bring people together from a variety of disciplines because the future of all disciplines will be related.
Cobay says the new interest in the future is a result of three "need conditions."
First, he says, the accelerated rates of social and technological change have forced people to determine where they are headed so they can prepare for their destination or revise course if they don't like the route they are taking.
Second, the quantity and complexity of modern life force people to be aware of many more things and result in "plantive" behaviors, especially all mean" or "where are we headed?"
Moo says, "In a world where there was still relative access to goods and the rate of change was somewhat slower, people were not used in looking back to explain their present."
And third, "the awesome and perhaps irreversible decisions facing civilization today" makes the study of consequences mandatory.
"Now that the rate of change has accelerated so fast and things become obsolete so much faster, the feeling of having room to grow in dimension has become more important.
Corbyn says students of future studies vary between two extremes, those who see themselves as a candidate for the next generation.
by
Handwriting Analysis and Cards Will Answer Any Questions on All Matters of Life.
Stop In Today.
Call 843-5899
2246 Ohio—Corner of 23rd St.
Moes says he things students enroll in future studies courses out of curiosity and because man has always been interested in looking into crystal balls. They think this is one way they can get a feeling of what is to come, he says.
But he says, "I don't think we should use the future so all of us can become crystal ball studders. Up until now the future just happened.
moragbass and those we want to learn how avoid the perils and it may make us more successful.
This was relatively easy when we lived in a world of relative plants, but it's not so easy when we live in a world of invasive plants.
Conby says a background in future studies could be an edge for the student
A lot of companies that hire college graduates, he says, are particularly interested in students with interdisciplinary majors. There are more jobs are interdisciplinary in nature.
They are looking for habits of creativity and flexibility, he says, and this gives students in future studies an edge because they are not always at the heart of future changes are at the heart of future studies.
And so in a year, if the steering committee is successful, KU will offer a major discount.
Meanwhile, Conboy is optimistic about the attractions of future studies. The people who are likely to be interested in joining this effort, he says, will come from everywhere.
"The only thing that binds us is that we think it's a good thing to be thinking about something."
NEEDLEWORK
JEWELRY
by
See 3
Have a nice summer!
Crewel Cupboard
"your yam and
needlework center"
15 East 8
Summer Hours (effective May 20)
Noon-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday
U+HAUL
O
Instead of waiting until the last minute to plan your next move, and ending up throwing up your hands in despair, rent a trailer or truck to fit your needs. Do it safely, economically: do it right.
843-2060
Don't Get Stuck!
1540 W. 6TH
LAWRENCE, KANSA5 66044
843-3557
Robert Redford & Mia Farrow
'THE GREAT GATSBY'
Adm. Adult 12-60 -Child 7-16
NO PASSES
RIDIN', ROPIN'
WRANGLIN' and all that
WESTEPN BULLSHIT
Hillcrest
BLAZING SADDLES
The American Film Theatre
—ENDSTUESDAY—
Presents
STACE REACH
in
John Osborn's
STACY KEACH
Today at 2 & 8
at the
"LUTHER"
Hillcrest
ALL SERVICES#12345-NO PASSES
YOURS MISSING OF AGE PROVIDING
YOURS OF AGE PASSING
Business Office Clinics at 8:00 a.m.
Snack Break at 7:25 a.m.
Busines
Hillcrest
Liz Taylor
"ASH
WEDNESDAY"
Jack Lemonin in
"SAVE THE TIGER"
Box opens 8:00 Show 8:30
Sunset
IN THE MARKET A West Highway
History of KU Is On Sale Now
Copies of "The University of Kansas: A History" will be on sale this week on campus. The 800-page illustrated volume which was written by Clifford S. Griffin, is one of the most every aspect of the University's first century, from KU's founding to modern times.
Copies will be available in campus bookstores or may be ordered from the University Library.
We also deliver
Sandwiches
and Pizza
843-9111
CASH
Sell your used (and not so used) text books
kansas union BOOKSTORE
May 8-17
Hours 8:30-5 Mon.-Fri. Sat. 10-1
Great looking jeans and tops are one of our specialties . . fantastic soft cool fabrics and colors are fresh for summer.
at the . . .
839 Massachusetts
At the Back of the Town Shop 839 Massachusetts
Downtown