Page 3
University Daily Kansan
he De-
riment the use library of this library. no. 11,
1964
Saga of Western Civ Exam Shows Experiments, Changes
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Officials in the Registrar's Office have not yet totalled the number of students who have registered for the May 22 Western Civilization comprehensive examination, but the more than 500 students who will probably be taking the test are already quaking in their boots.
Sophomores will receive four hours credit for the exam; juniors and seniors only two hours credit.
Gradual changes have occurred since the Western Civilization program was established in 1945, with major changes being made in 1955.
WALTER SANDELIUS, professor of political science, helped to pattern the program in 1945 after the Western Civilization structure he had observed at Oxford University, England.
Students originally read assigned essays from a collection of books on reserve at Watson Library. They were expected to arrange individual discussions with their proctor each week. Members of the Western Civilization Board, which managed the program, selected the proctors from applications made to them.
Students failed most of the time to discuss the readings with proctors. Many times the students had difficulty getting the readings because others were using them in the library.
THEERE WERE NO mid-term or six-week's examinations, and students went into the final examinations with no idea of what sort of questions would be asked.
Since 1955 students in the program have been assigned to meet in definite discussion groups at set times, and the Western Civilization Board revised the program's reading requirements to include essays about science, economy and philosophy, in addition to political science.
The course was originally oriented to freshmen and sophomores, and a final examination had to be
passed in order to become a junior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
IN 1955 THIS aspect of the program was changed. Members of the board decided the program's readings were of sufficient difficulty that most students should have completed their freshman year before taking the course. Now few freshmen who are not in the honors program, are allowed to enroll for Western Civilization.
Students now own all the required readings in the collected readings published by the program's board and in paperback volumes.
Six-weeks examination questions give the students an idea of the general type of questions that will be included on the four-hour
examination at the end of the second semester of discussion groups
PROF. SANDELIUS once listed the reasons for establishing the program:
- to give students a cross-section of the social sciences:
- to study the beginning of doctrines with emphasis on democratic and Christian ideals;
- to understand the basic meaning of western culture, and how it is characteristic of the American way of life;
- to observe the western world's struggle against ignorance, greed and intolerance, and to learn to protect and continue what has already been achieved:
to strengthen habits of independence and self-reliance in the student.
Lecturer Will Illustrate Archaeology in Israel
"Major Archaeological Activity in Israel, 1864," will be the topic of an illustrated lecture by James Seaver, professor of history and director of the western civilization program.
The lecture, which will feature slides made by Prof. Seaver while in Israel on a Fulbright Grant to teach history, will begin at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the Jayhawk Room of the Kansas Union.
Acre, Caesarea and Massada are the three principle areas which Prof. Seaver visited while in the archaeological field. He traveled with one of Israel's best known archaeologists, General Yigael Yadin, professor of archaeology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
THE EXPEDITION WAS in the field for "most of the month of February, between the spring and
fall terms at Technion in Heifna. I was teaching history and a course which was similar to our western civilization program," he explained.
DIPLOMA FRAMING
Sudden Service
bookstore
Tryouts for three summer productions and the fall production of "My Fair Lady" will be conducted in the University Theatre this week.
Tryouts Set for Summer Plays
They have been scheduled at 4 p.m. Thur.day,7 p.m.Friday and 10 a.m.Saturday.
The summer productions for which students can try out are "Escuriale," by Ghelerode, "An Episode from an Author's Life," by Jean Anouilh, and "The Night of the Iguana," by Tennessee Williams.
Tryouts for "My Fair Lady" will be only for the parts of Eliza, Freddy, and Doolittle. The rest of the cast will be chosen in the fall. Students trying out should have one song from the show prepared.
SUA Special Film Series
presents
The Spiral Staircase
Dorothy McGuire
Ethel Barrymore
"Best mystery in a long time"
LIFE
7 p.m. Tuesday, May 11
Fraser Theater
Admission $.50
CLASS OF THE CENTURY
1966
INTERVIEWS
BREAKFAST
RING
GIFT
CALENDAR
PUBLICITY
TRADITIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
REGALIA
CENTENNIAL
HOPE AWARD
HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES
SENIOR EVENTS
- PICNIC
- SENIOR DAY
- FALL PARTY
- SPRING PARTY
- COFFEES
Get applications from your House President or the Alumni Office, 127 Strong. Applications Due May 12