PAGE THREE
Freeway, Street Hazards Snarl Motorists
University of Southern California
DAILY
TROJAN
T
PAGE SIX Five Trojans Win Berths On All-Big 6 Team
Vol. UV
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1962
NO. 52
THE FOUR-COURSE PLAN
Pomona College Acts As Model for Change
Three Plays to Open On Experimental Bill
(Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of articles studying the four - course program slated to go into effect in the LAS College.)
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By PONCHITTA PIERCE Assistant to the Editor
With the announcement that USC's College of Letters. Arts and Sciences will change its cur-riculm from the traditional semester - and -units pattern to a new four - course - a - semester plan comes a question — What are the odds for success?
For one answer we go 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles to Pomona College, a liberal arts college with an enrollment of 1071 students.
In the fall of 1961, Pomona students faced a c u r r i c u 1 m innovation which was “to stress course content over unit count” and cut down the BA requirement to 32 courses.
The reasons for the change were the same for Pomona as they are for USC.
“There was too much study fragmentation,” explains Dean of the Faculty Ernest Strath-mann, “and uneasiness about the proliferation of small courses and tendency to cut the student's time into small blocks.”
He added that educators tried too much in class and were not allowing enough to student initiative.
“In revising, we did not want to wipe out but to redress the balance between student and t e a c h e r,” Dr. Strath-mann said. “Often we give too much guidance to the student and he understudys.”
Under Pomona’s new schedule, students take four courses plus physical education activities each semester (men must also take military drill).
“Each course accounts for one-fourth of the work expected cf the student during one semester in lecture, discussion, studio, laboratory, reading and study,” the dean explained.
“There is no yardstick for what’s in a course,” he continued. “In some classes the amount of required reading has increased 50 to 60 per cent. Some of the courses require two or three hours a week of class work, others four and five.”
While the program introduced to Pomona students two semesters ago promised more time for study, more research within a concentrated area and more student independence, it offered less variety in the selection of courses outside the major field.
Nor did it anticipate the increase in class attendance for some courses, particularily in the humanities and social sciences, and the larger number of auditors.
The problem of diversity was ironed out somewhat by absorbing many of the one- and two-unit courses into larger ones. “Cumulative courses” were mapped to count work that continues through four semesters, as in musical groups or in basic military science courses.
“We also initiated the ‘half-course,’ chiefly for work in art, music, writing and advanced research,” Dean Strathmann noted. "Students may take two half-courses in a semester if they are included as part of the four courses. Only one half-course may be taken in addition to the four courses.”
Juniors and seniors may take two courses a semester outside of their major and receive “pass or fail.” Such courses are not included in the comutation of grade point average, but those passed are counted toward the graduation requirement.
To knock out PE requirements, activities are marked on a “pass-fail” basis also. Freshmen and sophomore must take two PE activities per semester, and juniors and seniors one activity.
Coincident with the curriculm change, grades moved from 4 to 12 ooints, with 12 equal to an A; 11, A-; 10, B •; 9, B to 0 for F.
“If you just miss an A, you drop only one grade point,” the dean observed. “Before the student went down three.”
More than 90 per cent of Pomona students interviewed for their opinions of the four-course system saw the change as beneficial, but were quick to add that it did have disadvantages.
Dan Drabkin, academic commissioner and a senior in international relations, felt he now had
as much work as before, if not more.
“Professors are expecting greater quality,” he explained. “While specific assignments have not increased, there are more papers and outside reading.”
A new scholarly attitude toward study and a new approach to education resulted from the change, in the opinion of Jeff Brown, a senior in economics and finance commissioner.
“There is more incentive to study and room for more individual work,” he said.
“Students feel they have the responsibility to educate themselves rather than being forced into education. We are able to hold our own hook, rather than having someone else do it.”
“I like the change and the changes that went with it,” crommented Henry Atha, a senior in pre-med. “But if a person failed a course, it would be awfully hard to make up.”
“Much in favor” of the course was Jerry Parker, a junior in economic history.
“Although students complain that there is not enough diversity, I feel that college students should assume the responsibility of selecting,” Parker said. “The quality of the courses has gone up, and students are able now to spend more time on their work.” Viewing the change from the faculty seat, sociology professor Dr. Alvin Scaff explained, “While I have not greatly increased the work assignments, I do expect better quality in a stu- ; dent’s work.”
(Continued on Page 5)
Date Pends For Funeral Of Professor
Funeral arrangements for William G. Morrison, assistant professor of law, who w as found dead in his apartment Monday, are still pending, Dr. Robert Kingsley, dean of the Law School, said yesterday.
Dr. Kingsley explained that Morrison's father, William R. Morrison of Van Nuys, had not yet set the date for the funeral service, but it will probably be held in a few days.
Morrison, 30, was found dead Monday morning from an apparent overdose of sleeping ¡pills, the Los Angeles Police Dept. said. He left no explanation for his death.
Body Found
The body was discovered by his father. Morrison said he had been worried about his sons failure to come to the family home to help decorate a Christmas tree Sunday night.
He explained that he checked ¡his son's apartment Monday to see if something had happened and found the bodv.
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A brief note was found in the apartment, but it gave no reason for Morrison's apparent suicide. Included was the comment. “There were a lot of complicating factors.”
(iives Library
Morrison also asked that his extensive law library be given to a friend.
Dr. Kingsley said Morrison was a new teacher who had just joined the staff this fall.
"We all liked the young mar:. Dr. Kingsley said, “and he seemed to be very popular with ¡students. He was a very brilliant man and was the type of j fellow you just couldn't help j liking.
“It came as a great shock to his students, who seemed dis-
Daily Trojan Photos
SACRIFICE—Tegeus-Chrcmis, played by Roger Towne, persuades Dynamene, played by Farris Clark, not to end life in Christopher Fry's "A Phoenix Too Frequent." The one-act will be staged in the Stop Gap Theater.
Goldwater to Speak On Political Scene
Sen.	Barry	Goldwater,	R-i Services Senate Committees.
Ariz.,	will discuss American ¡He is	chairman of the Repub-	Julie.’ concentrates on	psy-
politics	today	at noon in	Bo- lican	Senatorial C a m p a i g n	ecological	action,	combining
„	...	the weak,	strong,	gentle	and
vard Auditorium. The Univer- Committee.	,	.
cruel into a conflict of man
sity Students Party (USP) is During his terms in the Sen- versus woman and servant ver-sponsoring Goldwater’s appear- aie Goldwater has urged in- sus mistress.
Dramas To Run Nightly
Three plays performed by the drama department's experimental theater workshop will begin a four-night run tonight at 8:30 in Stop Gap Theater.
The three plays are “Everyone Kills” by USC student writer-director Richard Doet-kott:	"A Phoenix Too Fre-
Iquent” by Christopher Fry and | “Miss Julie'’ by August Strind-i berg.
Because of the size of the j theater, located at 3730 S. Hoover St., the audience will be small, but all seats are expected to be filled, Kathleen ! Lee. promotion manager said.
Military Drama
“Everyone Kills.” an original military drama, symbolizes in the persons of three soldiers, what the playwright believes are man's three alternatives when he is faced with a situation such as war in which he must kill or be killed.
The men are faced with the question of whether to kill, not to kill or be forced to kill by external and internal pressures.
The three soldiers will lie played by Gordon Hoban, Larry Brown and Steve Kent.
Fry's comedy, “A Phoenix Too Frequent,’’ uses as its setting a Roman tomb. Here a young woman, with her drunken servant, has come to die by the coffin of her husband.
Soldier Helps
She soon discovers, however, with the help of a young grave-guarder. that it is more fun to be alive.
Catherine Bond will direct Farris Clark, Judy Loshin and Roger Towne in the production.
The Strindberg play. "Miss
Auto Victims Recuperate In Hospital
Two USC students are recov-j ering in the hospital today following an automobile accident Friday night. Juniors Sharon Kathol and Chuck Marson were injured in the accident, i
Miss Kathol is expected to be j released later today from St. Luke's hospital. She suffered a j brain concussion, facia] cuts: and bruises, and she will require plastic surgery upon recovery.
In Hospital
Marson is in the Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena. I lie i"eceived chest injuries and j n broken ankle, and was alsc j tieated for shock.
The couple "ere injured , while traveling from the Tau Kappa Epsilon pre-party to the TKE forma!.
The Volkswagon in which they were traveling collided with a Chevrolet Nova that had turned left in front of them at an intersection. Marson said.
Total Loss
The Volkswagen was totally demolished, according to the owner of the car, Lcn Lane, a fraternity brother of Marson.
Hospital officials said Mar-Fon is in satisfactory «"»ndition
PLEDGES LEAVE 'TOOT' IN A COOL PLACE
“What ever happened to Baby Toot?” Tliat is what the members are asking today at Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
Baby Tool Is the nickname of a Delt named lion Tudor. Tudor was shipped off to Minneapolis late Monday night by the Delt pledge class.
He boarded the 10:30 flight after being kidnapped by the pledges. According to Pledge President Scott Hutchinson, Tudor was undei the impression that he was on his way to Las Vegas.
The Delt chapter at 1'nivorsity of Minnesota received Tudor and gave him a place to stay. But he has no way back, no money and no identification.
He called the Delt house at I'SC three times yesterday. Once it was to «five a weather report from Minneapolis —10 degrees below zero.
Hutchinson said Tudor was well taken care of on his trip. One of the pledges accompanied him to Minneapolis and then returned on the next flight.
He said the trip was planned and executed on schedule and involved all ’’1 of the Delt pledges. “We were all there to wave him off at the airport,” he said.
Firesides To Be Led By Students
tiessed ovei the death, and it ance as part of its political porne tax repeal, federal spend-
ishocked me quite a bit, to say cneak-pr« forum	.	u	i. •	«	,
,	. ., _	T^-	,	,,	>PeaKers loium.	mg cuts	a halt in foreign	aid
■the least,” Dr. Kingsley	added
Good Job	USP President	Steve Meiers	programs	and limitations	on
Melinda Fee will have the title role, with Steve Bellan and Lynn Zagon under the direction of Richard Doetkott. Directs Production Supervising director for all three	productions	is John E.
Blankenship, associate professor of drama. Stage manager for the entire program is Sherri Inloes.
Tickets may be purchaser! at
leaders tonight at 6:30 as partj to	to	he	practiced1 convention in 1960 aiK’ :s r"''_	M eie is 'Hirl hit tire speakers j tbe drama department office,
of the Improve Your	School, jaw for “Wu years’ with a lai ^c ; pected to be Prominent in tiie	]n the series	will include Atty.	3729	Hoover St..	for -SI and
New York law firm and servediRepult>lican camPai£n again in	Gen. Robert	Kennedy and Lt.	$1.30.	Tickets will	be available
Fireside chats at dormitcnes^ Morrison graduated from C0-1
said Sen. Goldwater will prob- social security, ably talk for a half-hour and Goldwater is speaking on then open the session for ques- campus as part of USP's portions from the audience.	j	ical	speakers	forum,	which has
scheduled speakers for campus
throughout the1
| “He was doing a good job of teaching and seemed to be gef-jting along fine with eveiyone.’
Ithe dean said. “I guess he just had some outside troubles that
we didn't know about.”	Republican	Goldwater	was
considered a possible presiden-',lipeaiarues
will be conducted by student iumbia Law Schoo! Previous ',ial candidate at his Party’s
year.
I Week Program.
Andrea Haley, co-chairman as jaw clerk to Judge Archic of the program, said the fire-¡Dawson of the Federal court in
Gov. Glen Anderson.
at the theater door.
sides will be conducted on a j free discussion basis. She urged ! freshmen to attend and present their ideas for improvement. Suggestion Boxes Suggestion boxes for ideas j are located in Founders Hall, j Bridge Hail, the Student Union and the grill.
AMS President Hal Stokes j noted that most of the suggestions have come from graduate students and seniors. He encouraged freshmen and faculty members to participate in ! the program.
Hs noted that only one faculty member, Dr. Gerald Rigby, assistant professor of political science, has	offered	any
USC's	drive t	> boat N	>tie'	Collect ions	are	being	made j	constructive criticism.
Dame in sending the longest jjn front of the Student Union	C	ontributions
m-t,	ie	.1	“This program is	for	the	fac
telegiam	in	h.st	.r\ is get	inrt^from	9	j0	daily	and	in	all
little support from the student | body.
He has been a member of, He explained that the pro-
New York. He taught torts the U.S. Senate since 1932 and gram is designed to help stu-an ' American legal history at has served on the Labor and!dents sain wider knowledge of USC, Dr. Kingsley said.	Public	Welfare	and	Armed'the American political scene.
GRIEF FOR CHRISTMAS?
Irish Win (So Far) In Telegram Bowl
and
i ultv as well
the students.
“Only 300 signatures have been collevtcd since Operation Telcçram was launched on
residence hails, sorority fraternity houses.
“‘Operation Telegram’ i signed to let the team know
and we hope to have more faculty suggestions before the (|P. end °f program on Friday,” he said.
Slokes said students who
Monday. said l .d Iialligan. \ that the entire student body | suEmitted suggestions can no
Miss Kathol, a member <>f ASSC administrative assistant
Chi Omega sorority, expects t0 Jn order t:) No,re Dames|Bowl game be out of school for another 26-foot telegram sent to the week. Marson's recovery will I Irish team iust before they take approximately two weeks,¡Played the Trojans, at least
doctors said.	13,000 signatures must be cnl-
Poli.e 4a;d Mar.ion and Miss iected.
Kathol were traveling on Ca-1 The telegram will be sent to huenga Boulevard n the Holly- encourage the USC team right wood Hil's when the other car. before the Rose Bowl game coming from the opposite di- with Wisconsin.
behind them in the Rosei tice one improvement already
Halligan said.
He indicated that “Operation Telegram” cc-mmittee hoped for strong support from the student body so that the goal .f at least 5,000 signature» mav be met.
to many suggestions Trojan has been un-
— due Tommy covered.
The program also includes a contest for the best editorial critique on how to improve USC. The editorial should be ”>00 words long and must be
“This is jdents can
one way the stu- turned in to the AMS*"'
do their part in
rcction. turned loft in front ol The cost of each signature 1 showing their spirit for Troy,” them at the intersection. 1 is 23 cents.	¡Halligan	said.
office, SU 326 by .3 Friday. A prize will be awarded the best essay.
HOLIDAY VICTIM - Christmas holidays continue to be darkened by frequent accidents caused by fog and bad weather.
— Photo Court«1 -y Los Antral“
Although USC students have a good record in safe driving, special care is needed during the Christmas and New Year.
Legislature To Consider Amendment
A constitutional amendment for determining field-of-study representation in the ASSC ¡Senate will be considered by the student legislature tonight at 6:30 in the Senate Chambers. 301 SU.
Senate President Barbara Shell said t h e amendment would take the representation calculations from the ASSC Election Commission, which currently determines the number of senators from each field on a ratio of one senator for every 200 students of each recognized field.
Under the present system the ASSC Senate is unaware of the number of students in ; each school and has no way of checking the calculations of the Elections Commission. Miss Shell said.
If the amendment is accepted, the Senate will determine the number of senators for each year, she explained.
The amendment will be voted on tonight so it can appear on the same ballot a* the constitutional amendment passed last week. That amendment would give students carrying 10 units the right to vote, run for office and be members of j ASSC.