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Show Social Sciences Text: Cathe Guptill Dr . Richard Sadler, dean of the School of Social Sciences here at WSC, is interested in maintaining the high quality of the programs and innovations offered within the school. New programs include the implementation of the new archeological technology program at WSC. The program is a two-year situation, with students who graduate from the program prepared to act as archeological technicians. Dr. Stephen Stimms will head this endeavor. In addition, several of the other departments are adding new facets to their current programs. The Criminal Justice department gained a new chairman this year Dr. Paul Johnson from Murray State College in Kentucky. He's undergoing a review of a curriculum revision that will update the face of the criminal justice program offered at WSC. The history department is currently seeking approval of a new public history program. Dr. Richard Roberts said that the program would be offered as an emphasis, designed to aid history majors who are not interested in entering the teaching field. Several options include archival work, records work and government service. If the program is approved, implementation could take place this fall. The Center on Aging was also introduced during this school year. Key contributors to this effort have been Vice President Robert Smith, Dr. Marie Kotter and Dean Richard Sadler, who was particularly helpful in its implementation. Faculty contributors include Dr. Daniel Gallegos, Dr. Vincent Van Ohrman and Dr. Jerry Borup. In addition to providing seminars, classes and workshops to both the community and students at the college, the center is attempting to make the public more aware of problems facing the elderly today. Faculty and student participants at the center are active all over the state and offer a variety of services to both the elderly and the community. Dr. Borup sees the role of the center as a vital, multi-faceted one, and he hopes the public view of the center is the same. In addition to these curriculum changes, the School of Social Sciences noted the sponsorship by WSC of the Undergraduate Research Conference. This program was developed by members of the psychology department last year. This is the second year that this conference has been held. Dr. Benne Williams, one of the main sponsors of the conference, sees the conference as an indication that Weber is gaining wider recognition as an academic force. Dr. Rosemary Conover was elected to serve her second term as chair of the faculty senate this year. Dean Sadler felt she was a key factor in motivated faculty leadership during the past year. The school is looking to maintain its current level of excellence next year, he said, an increased emphasis on enrollment and recruiting and maintaining the current quality of education here at WSC. ' 1 - - -' MESSAGES come in many forms from the social science department: some through books, others by memorandums. (Signpost photo: Jeff Bybee) f 1 ', C t Of "i Text: Janet Bassett On April 17-18, 1986, WSC conducted its second annual Undergraduate Research Conference. Students from all over the western United States were in attendance. One objective of the conference was to give the students an opportunity to hear research papers being presented so they can model the most effective methods of presentation and learn what constitutes a good research paper. "This conference provides students with a place where they can write, present and observe good research papers. It helps students gain the recognition of giving a paper," said Dr. Ben Williams, WSC psychology professor. The conference also provides an opportunity for students to organize and conduct a research conference and learn good leadership and management skills applicable to both the professional world and the world of work. The psychology clubs and Psi Chi chapters managed and conducted the entire conference. Twenty-three college-level students and eight high school-level students participated in giving research papers. "This year, we expanded it to include all of the social sciences. Police science and political science students were involved." said Dr. Williams. "None of the higher education institutions in the state offers a conference that allows students to present research papers," he continued. "We try to get a world -renowned speaker to come to the conference, which helps establish our academics," said Dr. Williams. This year, Drs. Alan and Beatrix Gardner from the University of Nevada-Reno were invited. The couple has received worldwide recognition for teaching chimpanzees to use sign language. The Gardners' work with chimps is labeled cross-fostering, where members of one species are reared by members of another species. The Gardners showed a film and a slide presentation at the conference as part of the research that they have been conducting. They also said they had recently hired a former Weber State student to assist with their research. They told Dr. Williams that the former student was one of the best -trained people they had hired. "Not many people recognize Weber College for its excellent scientific academic program. We have recently began to be known as an academics school," said Dr. Williams. One of the objectives of the conference is to gain the academic credibility and acknowledgement necessary to establish Weber State College as a scientific and professional institution. "The only change in our policy next year will be to have students attend the conference rather than class," said Dr. Williams. "We will also need more housing facilities." |