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Show PACE 4 THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY JANUARY 4, 1988 APPLAUD THE RETURN: BASICS MAKE COMEBACK Finally, the U.S. is making a stand to return to the basics and the humanities in the classroom. U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett recently outlined his ideal for the perfect high school, which he calls James Madison High School. Bennett said too many high school students were graduating and even going on to higher education w ithout knowing where Mexico is located or when the Constitution was signed. Even SUSC instructors can testify to the lack of knowledge that many of their students exhibit. When the Deans' Council discussed the addition of geography classes to the curriculum, it noted that a few of the education majors couldn't even name the continents or identify where they were located on the globe. And these students are supposed to become teachers? To insure that American students get a education, Bennett would mandate that all high school students in grades take three years of math, science and social four studies, years of English, and two years of foreign language. The list of required high school subjects reads like the requirements demanded for many college majors. Bennett's high school curriculum includes calculus, physics, chemistry', American and British literature, composition, and American government. Bennett's list of electives in the high school is very narrow and designed to complement the required courses and the humanities. Bennett's efforts should be applauded. At the college level, too much time is spent in general education courses to define concepts students should have already gained in high school. If a student is not confident with his or her basic skills, there are always introductory courses like English or Math 090. Tutoring and skill workshops are also available at a variety of places on the SUSC campus. Granted, general education courses should not be used to weed out the potential majors; but they should give students a view of the subject that they can apply in their other endevors. If students want to avoid general education courses, they sould go to a trade tech. But even that may not work, because the Utah community colleges (formerly the technical schools) now require general education courses in English, math, science, and humanities. In addition to Bennett's call for stronger high school curricula, SUSC's instructors should also be applauded for their debate in Faculty Senate and commitment. The administrators' meetings fall quarter for higher general education and curriculum standards can only benefit the student. Nationally, students and educators finally recognize the need to be a complete, educated person, rather than a technician. SUSC already knows this and its leaders and techers should be commended for their forward thinking. m W well-round- 2 well-round- on-goi- ' 14 Hn or To TfXjgooKS, R.oP ANY TEL CLASSES AU Z0 77 LAr SoKEN- - ST MUST NEWS AND VIEWS OF SOUTHERN UTAH STATE COLLEGE 'Access' is a recurring column through which members of the campus community may address themselves to topics of concern andor interest. This week's column is by DAWN DE BUSK, Arts and Entertainment Editor for 'The Thunderbird.' But why are the women Editor Danny Stewart Associate Editor Lisa Jane Laird Copy Editor Mitch Connell Photo Editor Richard Engleman Sports Editor Tiffame Florence 12 Entertainment Editor Dawn DeBusk Senior Staff Writer Annette Grooms Production Manager Gavin McNeil Advertising Manager Lynn S. Dennett Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thunderbird is published each Monday of the academic year by and for the student body of Southern Utah State College and is not affiliated with the College's department of communication. The views and opinions expressed in The Thunderbird ire the opinions of the publication's individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the institution, faculty, staff or student body in general. The unsigned editorial dirdctly above is the opinion of The Thunderbird as a single entity. Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name and phone number Only the name will be printed Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves editing privileges Letters must be submitted by noon Friday for inclusion in the following week's edition. The Thunderbird editorial and advertising offices in SUSC Library 103 Mail at SUSC Box 7758 9384, Cedar City, UT 84720. Phone (801) speakers so grossly outnumbered for this quarter's Convocation and so during last quarter's? non-existe- nt If the purpose of our Convocations program is to provide students with a variety of views and With names like Stephen, Larry, Alexander, and speakers, then why don't we get to hear some more think listening to Judy Carter Harvey on the ad for the fall '87 Convocations, it women's views? quickly became apparent to me that there weren't Howells talk about Germaine Monteil Cosmetics any women speakers for any of the nine Thursdays and how women over 40 can feel confident and to follow. view their age as opportunistic will be as exciting and informative for the average SUSC college A heard Named the has Sue, Boy song Everyone but obviously there wasn't a girl named Harvey who student as discussing foreign politics with the Avon lady while looking at moisturizer at discount prices. would speak at SUSC's Convocations. It might be interesting. But the subject isn't valid to friends that with winter my joked quarter can't imagine walking out of the Convocations would evenly split the sexes, maybe college life. with one couple speaking for the odd number of Auditorium on Feb. 25 feeling edified. And in the weeks we attend school and spring quarter would past, have. be devoted entirely to women. And then, When heard Michael Brown, the journalist who scheduled time to hear seven of the speakers. ad for winter's uncovered and covered the Love Canal controversy, When the snowflake-covere- d walked out saying, ''Wow.'' His lecture left me tentative schedule come out, was disappointed as read the sheet hanging in the print room to see only speechless; it made me think. When heard John two women speakers. Jesse Louise Embry had been Dean speak, wasn't impressed. But he made me slated for Women's History Week. The other and a lot of people who attended that Convocation Convoction guest was scheduled to speak on the think, speak and write letters to the editor. One of favorite poets, Carol Jane Bangs, inspired me. topic of why appearance is so important for a TV my And last year's Carol Lynn Pearson shocked, startled commentate;. was twice disappointed. and brutally spoke about an issue of concern and could count how many females are controversy, AIDS. guess members of the Ririe Woodbjry Dance Company Convocations has enabled us to hear and see performing for February 4 Convocation tentatively, that we can brag about, who become the could view more But one people add. easily might rather a team or ensemble an important parts of our college years. So why can't Dance Company as than say, eight men and nine women. February 4's Convocations spend a little more time, effort, or Convocation presentation will be collective and money to get these kind of people and a few more high quality women speakers? visual rather than singular. I I VOLUME 82, NUMBER RKOLUTiotf Why so few women lecturers at SUSC? I lUMutH- - Vi CEDAR ClTY, UTAH fiiS AXCCBS I irftj UiD THE STUDENT ?picitf VlHiLF I I I I I |