Faculty still undecided on proposed 'unit' plan
By PATRICIA PRUITT
A random questioning of liberal arts faculty revealed that most had not given the proposed unit credit system much thought. But even so, they had general leanings and were concerned about the same facets as students.
The questions of flexibility of courses, flexibility of schedules, and advantages in intensive study absorbed them.
IN SUPPORTING THE system. three professors pointed to fragmentation of student time.
Walter Sandelius, professor of political science, said, "I favor it. It tends towards less fragmentation of student time, if it means not more than four classes per semester, and moves toward the Harvard system. It needn't mean attendance four times a week, either. This idea of students taking five or six two-hour courses is not good."
David Paretsky, professor of microbiology, commented, "Several courses are now unrealistically credited; some three-hour courses should be five hours. I personally think that in a large potpourri of classes, the courses lose their "oomph." If you take a vast number of one-hour courses, then not much is intellectually required.
"I don't think that the system as it stands will go through," he said, "but it is a step in the right direction."
HE MENTIONED SOME factors for consideration.
"The curriculum needs flexibility. I don't know where the magic number of four units per semester came from. And what will they do with special problems—laboratory courses for upperclassmen in connection with credit assignment?"
Walter J. Meserve, professor of English, said, "When I advise freshmen, I tell them to take no more than four courses per semester because they can concentrate better with fewer exams. That part is a good idea.
"THIS NEW CREDIT system would involve changing the content of courses so that they would receive more profound treatment," he continued, "but a more penetrating understanding would be all the advantage."
Those who found fault with the system were concerned with the restructuring of courses and its effect on the courses, students and faculty.
Frank Cross, associate professor of zoology, said, "I don't know how the system will account for basic differences in courses which require different amounts of work. I am curious as to how this will be accommodated, perhaps by pairing two-hour courses. But there is a place for a good many two-hour courses which require only one half or one third of the effort put into other subjects. At the moment, I don't see any great advantage in the system."
LELAND PRITCHARD, professor of economics, agreed with Cross. He asked, "How can all courses be fitted into a four-hour form? That's blowing a two-hour course to double what it's worth.
"I think that with two hours of intensive work, a student can learn the fundamentals and go on from there. The idea that students should concentrate is very commendable, but no curriculum serves every interest. And there are certain fundamentals that a student should be aware of, but it doesn't take four hours to do it."
Fritchard mentioned the problem of faculty either being overloaded or becoming specialized.
"There will be an increased need for faculty in this system. The University will get less service from me and from others. Our present teaching load is six hours in this department. That means teaching two or three courses. In the proposed system, we would have to choose between overloading and giving up some courses. I think we would shortchange the student.
"THE CURSE OF A university is over-specialization of faculty. Under the present system, teachers can teach more courses and offer a better variety."
Pritchard also maintains that students will not get as much from their courses if they are intensified.
"There has to be a certain time lapse for students to absorb
things. My summer school students never did measure up to the winter full-time students. Some students do try to think about their studies and digest them. They couldn't absorb as much meeting four days a week."
AURH dance set
The Association of University Residence Halls (AURH) will hold a "Whatchamacallit" tonight at Templin Hall from 9 p.m. to midnight.
ASC committee takes student poll
Student opinion on everything from counselors to car registration is being sought by the All Student Council's (ASC) Human Rights Committee.
The admission is free.
Friday, January 13, 1967
Approximately 250 questionnaires were sent out Monday and Tuesday and an additional 250 will be distributed soon, said Carl Struby, Leawood senior and chairman.
Daily Kansan
The 500 students taking part in
the ASC poll are selected at random. They are not asked to sign questionnaires and at the project's completion, all evidence of their participation will be destroyed.
5
What will be done with the results is presently undetermined, but Strubry said the information will probably be made available to appropriate organizations and to the Human Rights Committee.
TEACH IN GHANA or NIGERIA?
Yes: — If you . . . .
1. Have a Bachelor's Degree: preferably a Masters Degree
2. Have at least 30 semester hours credit in one of the following: a. physics, b. chemistry, c. biology, d. mathematics, e. industrial arts, f. English, g. French, h. geography, i. business education, j. home economics.
3. Desire to teach at the secondary school level.
4. Are in good health; single, or married without children.
Write: TEACHERS FOR WEST AFRICA PROGRAM Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pa. 17022
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talk with our representative. He'll be on campus soon—looking for better people with better ideas
THE AMERICAN ROAD • DEARBORN. MICHIGAN • AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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