Memphis University School - Owl Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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Opposite page: (top) Mr. Mutzi makes pasta by remote control, (bottom) Can Colonel Lynn real- ly be traced back to Nero? This page: (top) Mr. Hatchett considers giving credit for Gidget Gets Married. (bottom left)The Spanish II class conducts sleep teaching experiments, (bottom right) Mrs. Robinson nails students to the wall. Academics — 43

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Communication Arts Dominate Curriculum Due to the importance of the art of communication, the language courses at MUS constituted a major part of the curriculum. After becoming acquaint- ed with the fundamentals of the Eng- lish language, students began reading such works as Oedipus Rex, A Sepa- rate Peace, and Lord of the Flies. In the eleventh and twelfth grades, students chose their own courses from an offering of electives. These ranged from a study of the works of Shakespeare to an examination of the various forms of Utopias. In Mr. Russell ' s advanced place- ment program, literature and poetry were studied in depth, letting the stu- dent ' s interests shape his advance- ment. For further communication and un- derstanding, such foreign languages as Spanish, French, and Latin were studied. Armed with the fundamentals of speech and grammar, students read such famous works as Cer- vantes ' Don Quixote and Moiidre ' s Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. All this work produced a better understanding of different styles of literature and an in- creased awareness of various peoples and their cultures. 42 — Academics

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Physical Sciences Create New Awareness No areas were nnore diverse and complex than those of the sciences and mathematics. In these particularly pragmatic courses MUS prepared the student for later academic achieve- ment. Beginner courses in math gave stu- dents the opportunity to learn the more general aspects of the subjects. This allowed students to apply their knowledge to later, more complex subjects. Such was the case in alge- bra where the groundwork was laid for the later, more extensive topics of cal- culus a nd trigonometry. Science is best prepared to give an explanation of the laws of nature. Di- vided into many phases, the science courses at MUS ranged from physical science to chemistry, ecology, and biology. Projects and experimentation, such as the dissection of the earthworm, played a major role in most courses. Outside activities such as seeing The Helstrom Chronicle also were integral parts of the active class. However, it was necessary to obtain a familiarity in the rote aspects of science. A simultaneous program of experimentation in the many labs ex- cited even the most unscientific mind. These courses strived to make a subject worth knowing because it had application in school and in later life as well. This page: (top) The electronics class can ' t be- lieve that what they are receiving is coming from Donna Perdue, (center) Warren Hamilton tunes in on Radio Free Tunica, (bottom) Bret Bonner delivers his dissertation on pest control in the lunchroom. Opposite page: (top) With the aid of Willis Ayres, Read Kirkpatrick, and a Clairol re- search grant. Tommy Moore conducts hair straightening experiments, (center) Should these young innocents be taught sex educa- tion? (bottom) If you can ' t believe your eyes and ears . . . 44 Academics