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Show F.'.GE 6 THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY FEBRUARY 2, 1987 Haley stresses value of strong family life English, language merger moves ahead (CONTINUED FROM PAGE manifestations than what they would have ever 1) drinking womanizer who eventually was granted his freedom.". Another porch-stor- y recounted by Haley spoke of Chicken George's grandfather, Kunta Kinte, who was brought over from Africa by slave hunters as a boy. The little African had been captured by slave hunters while he was out gathering wood to make a drum for his younger brother. He never returned from his venture. "None of us had the faintest idea that we were taking part in the oldest form of transmission of information, by telling stories about our ancestors," said Haley. "By the time was 12, had heard a jumble of stories. was immersed in a family story that had become a family icon." Later in life, the author began a long, intensive search to trace the maternal side of his family, which he eventually traced across some 200 years and six generations. The result of that search, Roots, became the biggest besfseller in U.S. publishing history. Haley said he wrote the story of his family after he was bit by the "genealogy bug." In the book, he relays tales learned in his childhood, as well as bits of information gathered through tiresome research. While researching Roots, and traveling across the country talking about his' book, Haley found that many Americans are frustrated with the deterioration of family life and are trying very hard to rekindle the feeling of a close knit family. His lecture was a result of his interest in the family structure and because of the concern he sensed among other Americans. "We need to build our families through our children. They are the only thing greater than ourselves," said Haley. "All of those people the slaves had real problems, everyone one prayed for a better day than what they were experiencing. They prayed for their children and the children of their I I I children." "The descendants of our ancestors are better A New dreamed of. No way could they have ever fantasized the tremendous conditions in which we live today." Roots now published in 37 different languages was termed "a cultural landmark" by Time magazine, and received further acclaim when it was made into a run in Its seven-nigtelevision January 1977 drew over 130 million viewers, the greatest program audience in television history. Haley explained his reasoning as to why Roots was such a success. "When something becomes phenomenal such as Roots it's not because you are personally brilliant what makes a creative product become successful is the reaction of the public, which is often unpredictable," he said. "Another reason why Roots was such a success is because instead of dealing with a whole nation or culture, it primarily dealt with the plight of one individual, that being my ancestor Kunta Kinte," he said. "One thing may note is that when Kunta got captured, people cared. Our perception of this scene improved the awareness of this experience." "Before Roots, there was a feeling of shame about the history of slavery," said Haley. "Slavery was a murky negative you didn't want to talk about." "The effect of Roots on the black culture has improved the historical self image of many people, said Haley. "It gave tangible a sense of pride to many black people." Haley's writing has netted him the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. He has also received more than 300 special recognitions, including 17 honorary academic degrees for his Writing. Haley said he still plans on writing a few more books. His latest book, "Henning," is set in Henning, Tenn., and deals with the lifestyles, customs and unique "roots" of the peoples of Appalachia. "I think one of the most fascinating things you can do after you learn about your own people is to study something about the history and culture of another people," he said. mini-serie- 12-ho- One-A- ct ht s. Play By Doug Christensen Tuesday, Feb. 3 8 p.m. in the SUSC Auditorium Free Admission BY MINDY HUNT Effects of the recent 6 percent budget cut have largely deleted specific programs, but the consolidation of two departments has allowed administrators some flexibility. Beginning July 1, 1987, the English and language departments will be combined and function under one administrative head. Though the human tendency is to resist change, said S. S. Moorty, chairman of the English department, he believed that the consolidation could be an opportunity to produce some new and more meaningful courses. James Harrison, associate professor of the language department, said, "We are quite excited. The language offices have just been renovated and now the English department offices are getting a new look." The new consolidated department will include one department administrator rather than two. Several members of these two departments said they were happy with the selection of David Lee, an English professor, as the new department chairman. "He is a strong scholar and good administrator," said Harrison. The two departments will also share the load of the Humanities 100 courses which are currently being taught by Harrison and Eugene Woolf, philosophy professor. With every change come advantages and disadvantages, however. "The basic individuality of two departments will be lost," said Moorty. "Both departments have particular ways of handling course offerings and teaching loads." But, he said, he believes that the separate individualities could be maintained while sharing what they have. Although Moorty said he doesn't believe combining the departments will actually save much money, he agreed that the subjects are similar and have an element of continuity and that many other colleges probably have them combined. Since most people don't consider English a "foreign" language, Harrison said this combining of the departments will help people to recognize the similarities of grammar and literature in all languages. The new department will be losing its only philosophy courses with the retirement of Woolf in 1988. "This will hurt liberal arts curricular badly without a philosophy teacher," said Harrison. "Gene has been a real powerhouse and very influential for the college." Moorty said he hopes that philosophy will eventually be reintroduced. Members of the language faculty, now safely ensconced in their Old Administration offices have new phone numbers. Harrison's is 7958; Jim Mills' is 7957; Terry Blodgett's is 7959; Leon Chidester's is 7954; and Dick Carlson's is 7956. student group initiated here Non-tradition- al "The students are like the silent minority," says Dixie Eves, the new chairperson for the students. "They slip into their classes and they slip out again without enjoying their school experience." More than 60 students in freshmpn orientation last quarter categorized themselves as nontraditional students, says Betty Kingsford, associate vice president of student services. status includes students who are married, single parents, widowed or and returning students 25 divorced, on work-studyears or older. "In other words," says Eves, "they're not the teenager right out of high school." Eves, herself a student, said she felt that different types of activities were needed to involve the students. After discussing this problem with ASSUSC President Alan Bailey, a al al "Sander" which was written by SUSC student Doug Christensen, is one of e two finalists in a regional playwriting competition. It was also the winner of six People's Choice Awards and a Theatre and Dance Departmental award following its presentation in 1986. The play is directed by Kenn Wheeler and features Michael Don Bahr, April Holladay, Liz Leisek, Fran Knorr, Jennifer Rothey and Michael Stasinos. five-stat- PRESENTED FREE OF CHARGE BY THE SUSC MASQUE CLUB. al y, al al 4A jtw.ll mujmpw - wain 'ujbj u rniYinrir- fm r mw - (CONTINUED ON PAGE 7) |