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Show 4 The Daily Utah -- Chronicle Friday, September 4, 1998 Socialism Discussed at U Sk I f Y7 11 1 I w , ft. . Proponents and detractors of socialism met Wednesday to discuss the issue. The combined wealth of the world's richest 357 individuals is equal to the wealth of 2.5 billion others. At Wednesday's meeting of the International Socialists, speaker Terry Sullivan said that socialism and true democracy will never be achieved without revolution. "Incremental change will not get rid of capitalism," he said. "You are still working within the capitalist paradigm." "The dreamers are the ones who think that merely checking a box in a ballot is actually doing something," he said. "These people believe that once they get in office, they will determine priorities." This is not the case, Sullivan said. "Power doesn't lie in Congress," he continued. "Congress has to operate within certain constraints. And the ruling class doesn't want true democracy." Sullivan also said that this revolution will not be painless. "Some people will get hurt," he said. Dr. Stephen Reynolds, a professor of economics at the University of Utah, agreed with Sullivan that incremental change will not get rid of capitalism. "That's assuming you think that's a good thing," he said. "Critics of capitalism often sneer at bourgeois democracy," he said. "But I have no problem with it." Reynolds agreed that capitalism sometimes stands in the way of social justice. "It is the worst of all economic systems- - except for all the others," he deadpanned. Sullivan said that his message is optimistic. "Congress is only a small part of the social machinery," he said. "All of the power truly lies with us. We produce the wealth." If the workers simply didn't come to work one day, Sullivan said, the social machinery would cease to work. In fact, this is one of the ways that Sullivan sees the revolution beginning. "When people feel confident and are fighting, their minds open up to new ideas," he said. Seen something weird happen? Call the Chronicle and tell us -- about it: fOfjl Students May Required to Take Standardized Test Keisha Davenport Chronicle News Writer Debate over the effectiveness of standardized testing of students at the University of Utah and the other eight state schools sparked opposing views at the State Board of Regents meeting Aug. 28. The board would like to assess how well the liberal education programs at the state's colleges and universities compare with each other as well as with other institutions in the nation. In the scenario envisioned by the testing's proponents, the tests would assess the performance of the institution. Students aren't so sure. Their reaction to the idea was immediate. Student Jeff Smith said, "They should just put everyone in a big auditorium and let them do what they want to. Whatever the university wants to do, they do it." Testing the competency of the faculty is one objective of the research. It will try to ascertain how much students are actually getting from taking courses. "I think it would be more beneficial-for professors, maybe establish more quotas for them," Smith said. According to the regents, standardizing testing could assist in the n hours preparation of and curricula. j upper-divisio- I As an incentive for students to take the test, they may be offered credit hours for passing the exam. If students do not pass, they would be required to take "remedial" courses at the expense of the student. The results would be available on transcripts to be considered as criteria for other programs, and they could establish baseline score for students. The board disagreed about this system of rewarding students who may do better on tests than others or who may have taken a general education course that prepares better for the test than another course. Students have a variety of choices when it comes to general education to fill a single requirement. Students are more likely to take something based upon appeal rather than being required for a general standard test. "That would establish a standard more than it would find out what we are getting out of our education. I thought that this was supposed to be about a liberal education more than about indoctrination," said English major Andy Kralios. Standardized testing may change all that. Motivation of students seems to be the biggest foreseeable problem the board sees regarding implementation of standardized testing. This is why they came up with . . the proposed idea of crediting hours and results being posted on transcripts. Utah Valley State College is the only school that has standardized tests, and it has compensated students who have taken it. The board is also concerned with students taking standardized testing seriously. Their attitudes toward the test may affect their performance. The test would be from the company that produces the ACT. Called the CAPP, more than 550 colleges are currently using it for their undergraduates. The University of Utah may soon be one of them. & With U of U telecourses; it is. Shown on KULC it classes on subjects as varied as they Channel 9 and on cable, telecourses are are interesting. And because you can watch them in the comfort of your home at a time you choose, telecourses are convenient too. Classes follow the U of U semes ter schedule; fall semester starts August 27. Want the world at your fingertips? for-cred- Want to know more? Call 58 -- 5752, or visit us at ulearn.utah.edu. ' FALL SEMESTER TELECOURSES: Psychology BF PSYCH 1010(4 credits) Culture and the Human $?mmTsi wmSMf1 Ytm?K vim Experience ANTHR BF 101 Science Without Walls BIOEN 1510(3 credits) Principles of Microeconomics ECON 2010 (3 credits) Principles of Macroeconomics ECON 2020 (3 credits) History of Film FI FILM 3320 (4 credits) World Regional Geography GEOGR 1600 (3 credits) BF Survey of Gerontology GERON 5050 (3 credits) Western Civilization to HIST 1010(3 credits) Psychology of Infancy and Childhood PSYCH 1220 (3 credits) (3 credits) 300 HF American National Government POLS 1100(3 credits) AI SF Performing Arts BF 4&A FF UGS 1730 (3 credits) Continuing Education University of Utah H |
