Monday, March 9, 1964
University Daily Kansan
Page 3
Packard Has Flaws, KU Sociologists Say
Misconceptions and oversimplifications are two flaws in Vance Packard's books, according to three KU sociologists.
"Vance Packard has highly over-simplified the nature of class and mobility." E. Gordon Ericksen, professor of sociology and anthropology, said yesterday.' Prof. Ericksen added that Packard has done a great disservice to sociology by over-generalizing in his studies of social classes.
"On the whole it (Packard's work) is good," E. Jackson Baur, professor of sociology and anthropology, commented. However, Praf. Baur felt that there are weaknesses and misconceptions in Packard's books.
A need for accurate information was stressed by Carroll D. Clark, professor of sociology and anthropology. A sociological study needs to be accurate and the author needs to have material, Prof. Clark said.
The three sociologists said, however, that Vance Packard's works had helped to promote and popularize the field of sociology.
"I think that the popular interpretations of scientific findings for laymen is an important and legitimate function in a free society," Prof. Clark said.
Sociology has almost become a household word since Packard began writing his books, in the opinion of Prof. Ericksen. He said that until a few years ago people didn't know what was being talked about when sociology was discussed. They generally thought it had something to do with social work or socialism, he said.
"He (Packard) has done a great deal to bring to the public the knowledge of social class to the United States," Prof. Baur asserted.
The sociologists do not feel that Packard was an expert in the field of sociology:
"Vance Packard is not an expert at all," Prof. Ericksen said. "He's a pseudo-sociologist."
Although he knows a lot about writing, "I would consider him (Packard) a good writer and not an expert on anything," Prof. Baur commented.
Other members of the group of sociology instructors and Prof. Charles K. Warriner, head of the department of sociology and anthropology, do not feel they knew Packard's works well enough to comment.
Relay Starts Greek Week
Toga-clad Greeks in a torch relay from the steps of the Capitol building in Topeka to the Campaile will start off the Greek Week sports events on March 28.
The torch relay, which was dropped last year, was first started two years ago when members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon ran the relay from Topeka to the Chi Omega fountain to start off the annual chariot races.
The event is planned for this year with runners from all the fraternities carrying the torch a certain distance, Donald J. Gutteridge, Pittsburg senior and Greek Week public chairman, said.
ATTY. GEN. WILLIAM M.
Ferguson will light the torch at 11:00 a.m. on the east steps of the Capitol building. Runners will then carry the torch along U.S. Highway 40. Television coverage is planned for the torch-lighting at the Capitol, and a highway patrol escort will follow the runners, Gutteridge said.
In Memorial Stadium, after the chariot races, more athletic events are scheduled. New events this year will feature a pancake hurdle race, a walking race, a 440-yard relay and a medley relay. Trophies will be awarded to the winners of each event. Gutteridge said.
The runners are expected to arrive at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Campanile, where the annual Greek Week chariot races will begin.
AFTER THE RACES IN THE stadium, fraternity men living on the west side of the campus will pit their strength against the defending champions of the east side in a tug-of-war across Potter Lake.
Packard will speak here at 8 p.m. Wednesday night in Hoch Auditorium. He will lecture on "What's Happening to the American Character." The event is sponsored by Student Union Activities and the All Student Council.
A $12,144 grant from the Public Health Service has been awarded to J. Eugene Fox, Professor of Botany, for the study of cell division.
Botany Professor Receives Health Grant
Prof. Fox is in his third year of study on the project, entitled "Spontaneous Chemical Differentiation in Plant Tissue." The study is aimed at understanding how organisms regulate their own cell division.
Some cells and tissues, once formed, never divide again, but many can and do divide under the right experimental conditions, Prof. Fox said. The project attempts to isolate and chemically identify certain naturally occurring substances which induce cell division in tissues which normally do not divide.
The basic mechanisms underlying
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VANCE PACKARD to speak
Vance Packard, social critic & author (Hidden Persuaders, Waste Makers, Status Seekers, Pyramid Climbers), will speak on "What's Happening to the American Character?" March 11 Hoch Auditorium 8 p.m. Sponsored by SUA ASC
Reception for Mr. Packard in the Jayhawk Room of the Union following the speech