University Daily Kansan
Page 3
Wednesday, Jan. 20,1965
Double Life of Student, Teacher Keeps Grad Assistants Busy
Graduate assistants at KU lead a double life, that of student and teacher. Many of them spend a great deal of time preparing lesson plans and correcting papers. Any time they have left over is devoted to research work or their own class homework.
Bruce K. Murray, assistant instructor from Johannesburg, South Africa, teaches eight Western Civilization classes a week.
Murray said, "I don't spend as much time preparing lessons as I did when I began teaching the course three years ago."
Murray spends about a full day preparing lessons. He said he has to re-read the texts assigned to the students and study any current events that might relate to the assigned readings.
AT THE SAME TIME MR. MURRAY is taking the maximum graduate load of 10 hours. Murray said he is busy most of the time grading papers, preparing lesson plans, and doing his own homework.
Most of the jobs available for graduate assistants are advertised in the departments or in correspondence to other schools, Murray said. The selection of a graduate assistant is done on a competitive basis. The department will interview as many candidates as possible. Some of the candidates will have to be selected on the basis of recommendation because the candidate is too far way to come for an interview.
Money is made available for a graduate assistant program, Murray said, to make it attractive to prospective graduate students.
"MY INCOME IS MY SOLE source of income. The university provides a fairly good salary which is sufficient for my needs," Murray said.
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Groups Planning Mardi Gras Trip
New Orleans during the merry-making, carnival season of Mardi Gras is the destination of members of the Air Force ROTC drill team and Angel Flight, the women's auxiliary of Arnold Air Society.
The two groups, who have been invited to perform in the Mardi Gras festivities, will leave by train Feb. 18th for a five-day vacation from college.
"Last year the drill team went to the Mardi Gras between semesters, but this wasn't possible this year. They wouldn't change the Mardi Gras dates for us," Capt. Arthur L. Wagner, assistant professor of air science and drill team advisor, said.
THIRTY-FIVE MEMBERS of the Air Force ROTC drill team will be marching Feb. 20 in the Krewe of Carolillon Parade, which is a twelve mile parade route, during their visit to New Orleans.
The drill team has been practicing standard marching rifle drills all semester in preparation for the Mardi Gras parade. A new touch has even been added to the standard uniform to add more flash—each member of the drill team will wear flight boots and a beret.
Of approximately 25 members of Angel Flight traveling to New Orleans, 19 will participate in a televised pre-tableau of the Ball of the Krewe of Carollton at 6 p.m. Feb. 20.
THE "ANGELS" RECEIVED the invitation to perform last spring and have also spent many hours practicing this semester.
Judith Fraser, Larned senior and Angel Flight song leader, said the auxiliary had organized a singing group from time to time during the last three years.
"But last spring was the first time we began on a serious basis," Miss Fraser said. "We've been rehearsing every Tuesday and Thursday night, and the girls have been giving up a lot of their time to prepare for Mardi Gras."
While at the Mardi Gras, the two organizations will also have time to go sight-seeing and to enjoy some of the seasonal festivities.
excellent experience for those who plan to go into an academic life. Murray said.
Murray added, "My teaching duties are very enjoyable, it's the best part of my day."
ANOTHER ASSISTANT instructor of Western Civilization is Hugh Taylor from Stoke-on-Trent, England. Taylor spends eight hours a week teaching Western Civilization. At the same time Taylor is writing his thesis on international law. Taylor is majoring in political science.
MURRAY RECEIVED his B.A from Rhodes University in South Africa. He obtained his Master's Degree from KU and is now working on his Ph.D, in history, specializing in Modern British history.
Murray said he was fortunate enough to get a scholarship to KU to continue his studies in history. He was impressed with the history department at KU. Murray was offered a graduate assistantship at the end of his first year as a graduate student. This made it possible for him to stay on at the University.
Murray said the only other teaching experience he had was teaching history for six months in Johannesburg, South Africa.
"The amount of preparation I do depends on the reading to be discussed," Taylor said. "Some I have
read before, but there are some that are new to me. There is a vast amount of material in Western Civilization, but the amount may vary from week to week."
"This involves more than just the five hours in the classroom teaching, I have to grade papers and prepare my lesson plans," Larson said. "My teaching duties take up more than half of my time."
Taylor said the policy of the Western Civilization department is to allow the teacher to be non-directive. This means the teacher is to sit and listen to the class discussion. The initiative is left up to the student.
LARSON IS WORKING on his Ph.D. in history, specializing in "Major trans-Mississippi West." He took his preliminary exams last October and is now doing his dissertation.
BRUCE LARSON, assistant instructor of history, teaches a five hour historical survey course.
Larson said he has complete charge of his section. He picks and assigns the text to be read, he has office hours, and he assigns any papers he feels necessary to his students.
McIntosh says he spends his time correcting the papers and doing research work for his thesis.
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