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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
NOVEMBER 1, 1946
Western Civilization
For What?
To the Daily Kansan: Why is it necessary to have Western Civilization forced down our throats? Why could it not be a voluntary course for only those who want to take it and thereby save a strain on those who do not want it or especially need it?
There are a number of immature students in this University who have not made up their minds about politics and may easily be influenced by reading these articles. True, this group is a minority but after a few years this minority will add many members and eventually become a majority, which is not too difficult to imagine. If this happens, our war dead will have died in vain, for a Communist or Socialist form of government is no better than the Nazi or Fascist dictatorship of which the world has just seen the first results.
I think that there is more harm than good done in the reading of Western Civilization. In the first place, reading Western Civilization certainly does no good for the English department. So far, I have not found one article that was written with the proper grammatical or literary construction.
But, more seriously, many of the articles are Communistic or Socialistic in nature.
If a reading course has to be forced into the curriculum of all College students by administrative decree, why can't it be a course more constructive to the Democratic form of government?
College freshman (Name withheld by request)
The 65-man pledge class of Alpha Phi Omega is the largest group ever to enter any chapter of the fraternity. Dale Judy, president, announced at the chapter meeting Thursday.
APO Pledge Class Biggest In Nation
Judy requested more help in the World Student Service fund drive to supplements the 58 hours already given by the pledges in clerical work. Election of new officers will be
Alpha Phi Omega is a national service fraternity for former Boy Scouts.
Election of new officers will be held Nov. 8.
372 Students Register For English Proficiency
The English proficiency examination will be given Saturday morning to 372 upperclassmen who have signed up.
Tests will be given in the various rooms assigned on the registration card. No one will be admitted without this registration card. The test is designed to reveal the students' ability to use proper English.
Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
The University Daily Kansan
Member of the Kansas Press Association, National Editorial Association, and the Associated Collegiate Press. Represented by the National Advertising Service, 420 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017.
ison Ave., New York City.
Mail subscription: $3 a semester, $4.50 a year. plus 2% tax (In lawrence Addn) a semester postage). Published in Lawrence Kan., every afternoon during the school year except Saturdays and Sundays. University courses are offered. Entered as second class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at the Post Office at Lawrence, Kan., under act of March 3, 1879.
NEWS STAFF
Managing Editor ... Bill Hage
Ast. Managing Editor ... Charles Roos
Makeup Editor ... Jane Anderson
Telegraph Editor, Billie Marie Hamilton
Mailer Newspaper Manager
Ast. City Editor ... Marian Minor
Sports Editor ... John Finch
Women's Sports ... Nancy Jack
Ast. Telegraph Editors, Edward Swain.
Marsha Jewel
Societu Editor Alverta Niedens
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor-in-chief ... James Gunn
BUSINESS STAFF
Business Manager...Mel Adams
Acting Manager...Brian Mackenzie
Medical Manager...Bob Ado
Administrator...Helen Steinkirchner
National Adv. Manager...Louise Schieser
Recruitment Manager...Bob Gunn
Circulation Manager...Bob Bonebrake
Education?
Western Civilization is being criticized by some students required to study it. The College reading course, that is. If people were as much concerned over western civilization as a real problem, the future of mankind might seem less dark.
Protest on the basis that the course is required seems to be the commonest argument on the campus. When all students come to universities primarily to develop wisdom, the present system of forcing them into courses which are fundamental to a liberal education probably will be dispensed with.
That the course should be given to immature persons who have not yet formed their opinions seems to be the most logical thing about it. Forming an opinion before learning other viewpoints and as many facts as possible surely is not the scientific and intelligent approach. And in what other college subject would one expect to study only what he already knows?
As for the accusation that the material is communistic, it must be admitted that the American Declaration of Independence did have something to do with a revolution. Does the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America undermine our great traditions by suggesting some social evils? Herbert Hoover could scarcely be called a vociferous exponent of the Bolshevist doctrine.
The point is, of course, that the collection of readings in Western Civilization does no advocate any particular conclusion. The schedule, prepared by a committee of professors in different fields and with different political attitudes, tries to present representative schools of thought of the past five centuries. Grades are based on the student's comprehension of the historical significance of social, political, economic, religious, and intellectual movements.
Western civilization, which cannot divorce the Orient from the concept of a world society, is the subject which deserves attention, rather than the pros and cons of a six-hour college study. If the latter can manage to promote some original and rational thinking, problems of the former may be much nearer to solution.A.B.
Engineers Will Seek Pay For Field Trips
A resolution to seek revision of Public Law 346 to provide subsistence and travel pay for required curricular activities was adopted by the Engineering council in a meeting in Marvin hall Thursday.
"Engineers are required to make field trips to nearby industrial centers, which may cost from $25 to $75." James Waugh, president, explained. "Under the present bill, the veterans administration does not pay this expense."
The motion was made at the suggestion of the engineering council of Kansas State college, which started action on the situation last year. The proposed change would allow costs of field trips in addition to the $500 a year now allowed.
Hughes. Gives Recital
Max Hughes, K.U. graduate student in '42-'43, gave his debut recital Wednesday at the Labeauldt art gallery in San Francisco. Mr. Hughes gave his master's degree recital at the University in '44. He is now engaged in professional music, doing solo and ensemble work in San Francisco.
--and Have Some Fun
The Official Bulletin will accept announcements from University offices and student organizations and activities submitted to the Public Relations office. 222A Frank Strong, before 9:30 a.m. on the day of desired publication.
November 1. 1946
I.S.A. council meeting at 7 p.m.
Monday. Candidates for this semester's I.S.A. scholarship should be present.
- * *
The Women's Rifle club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Bring November dues, 50 cents.
Jayhawker magazine being distributed until 5 p.m. today at Student bookstore.
All-University ping-pong tournament. Men's and women's singles. Elimination. Application blanks may be obtained at the Union Activities office, Union building, and must be turned in there before Wednesday.
Students registered in Kansas outside Douglas county can vote in Military Science building, Tuesday, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Know the precinct, ward, township or city in which you are registered. You will have to write in your candidates for local and district offices.
***
Non-political organizations desiring to submit nominations for council representative to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Ira Bartel must file a petition with the A.S.C. secretary by Tuesday.
Physical Therapy club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Watkins hospital classroom. Dues are to be paid.
--and Have Some Fun
All members of the February graduating class in the School of Business and all February graduates in the University who are interested in going into business should make appointments for interviews with Mr. Pinet, Business placement bureau, 212 Frank Strong hall, prior to Wednesday.
Kappa Phi will meet at 7 tonight at the Methodist church. A pledge meeting will follow the regular meeting.
Students holding subscriptions for the Bitter Bird, who have not yet received their first copy, may pick it up Monday morning at the table set up in the rotunda of Frank Strong. This will be the last chance.
Business Executives To Lecture On Vocations
The School of Business and the business placement bureau are planning a series of short lectures and informal talks by executives in business fields of major interest.
Definite dates will be announced later. These talks will be given to aid upperclassmen in determining their particular field of interest.
To 100 Men
Who Want To Make Some Money
Sign in at the Y.M.C.A. office, or call K.U. 174 before Saturday.
Sell Concessions at the Football Game Saturday
It's A Girl
Beattyville, Ky. (UP)—When a baby girl was born to Mr. and Mrs. Halmer Durbin of Covington, Ky., it was a cause for rejoicing in the Durbin family all over the United States—it was the first girl baby in 55 years.
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