Central High School - Wakitan Yearbook (St Joseph, MO)

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WAKITAN find a course in. world history ex- tremely interesting. The ancient Egyptians, Babylonians and Per- sians come in for their full share in the discussion. The em- pires of early Greece and Rome are reviewed. The Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and, of course, the discovery of America, pro- vide a bridge for the linking of medieval and modern times. The World War and subsequent hap- penings conclude this study of the history of the world as a whole. A student, while taking world history, does not study any par- ticular country more than any other. However, after a student has completed the study of world history, he may, if he so desires, continue in the field of social science and pursue the study of United States history. United States history, as its name denotes, deals with the study of the history of our nation. How the United States became a world power, how the frontier disappeared, the how and why of the World War, and the rise of modern economic and social conditions are but a few of the topics discussed in a United States history course. Economics is the science of business. There never was a time when people had more need of a knowledge of economics than the present. The present depression has made plainer than ever the fact that the problem of national prosperity is an economic situation fundamentally rather than a political one. Students of economics are taught about such things as production and consumption. The factors which regulate produc- tion and consumption are a source of great interest and comment. Proposed social and economic reforms, in addition to problems arising in connection with international trade relations, are topics which provide much food for thought. Students who take American government, delve into a field of social science which is quite unlike any other which they have studied. American government, unlike other courses, does not employ the entire semester for the thorough examina- tion of the specific topic at hand. Instead, the student who takes American govern- ment may be required, any time, to draw upon the knowledge which he has acquired during the time he has spent in other parts of the field of social science. In order to make the student more familiar with the method in which our government func- tions, the various classes of American government combine and form what is virtually a min- iature government. One class is the Senate, another, the House of Representatives, still an- other, the President and his cabinet. All three bodies func- tion in the manner prescribed by the Constitution. Legislation is introduced, debated, and voted upon, just as if each student were really a senator, congress- DOMESTIC SCIENCE ROOM CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1 ige Flghteen

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WAKITAN LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT Sailors aboard the S. S. Cen- tral are not required to meet any language requirement. However, it is almost imperative that a sailor intending to attend a uni- versity should graduate with at least two units of a foreign lan- guage. Three languages are of- fered a sailor at Uentral. Latin, the most popular of the three, gives the student a foundation for almost every language. Latin gives the student a more thor- ough understanding of the Eng- lish language through its many English derivatives. Another ro- mance language which is popular at Central is Spanish. Spanish students are taught the everyday business grammar of Castilian Spanish. The course's practicability now is enhanced by the fact that the students are taught to converse in Spanish. The ability to read and to converse is the aim of all French students. One objective of French stu- dents is to be capable of passing college entrance examinations. Understandings of French people, customs, and history, are sought by French classes. Latin is a four-year course on the S. S. ventral. French and Spanish are taught only two years, as there is not sufficient demand for advanced courses in these subjects. MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT A unit of Freshman algebra is the only mathematical requirement made upon Cen- tral sailors. The Central mathematics department includes courses in the following: Plane geometry, two semestersg solid geometry, one semester, advanced algebra, two semesters: trigonometry, one semester. Accuracy, while it is the primary aim of mathematics, is not the sole aim. The development of the student's reasoning power is sought. Geometry is applicable to various trades and professions in the business world. It is absolutely imperative that anyone who is desirous of becoming an engineer have a thorough foundation and general knowledge of mathematics. The solving of theorems is the basis of achievement in geometry, while the working of problems and the application of various principles constitute a standard for students of algebra. SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Three units of social science are required for graduation. This includes civics and vocations, which are taught at the junior high schools, world history, a two-semester course: United States history, another two- semester courseg economics and American government, two one- semester courses, which combine to make a unit. World history is a course which treats of the growth of civilization. Those who wish to trace the ascent and de- cline of great men, powerful na- tions, and mighty empires, will LIBRARY CA FlfI'1'lfIltlA Page Se Yellteell

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WAKITAN man, president, or cabinet mem- ber. ln this way, American government is probably made more realistic than any other course. The field of social science, as a whole, is very popular among the students. Courses in social science are in more demand than those of any other depart- on the S. S. Central, with the ex- ception of the English depart- ment. In fact, more than four- fifths of the entire student body is enrolled in a course of social science. BIOLOGY LABORATORY NATURAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT The S. S. Central requires that all graduating seniors have one unit of science to their credit. The science department of the S. S. Central offers the following courses: elementary biology, advanced biology, physics, and chemistry. Every course offered by the science department is one of the two-semester variety. Biology is the most popular of the group of courses in natural science. Biology concerns the elementary investigation of physiology, botany, and zoology. An advanced course in biology is offered after completing the preliminary and more general course, for those who are still interested in continuing their scientific research and intent upon furthering their knowledge. Advanced biology is purely a further development of the subject. Students of biology delve into many of the mysteries of the human body, and of insects, and animal life. Physics is a subject which deals with explanation and demonstration of certain of the phenomena of the mechanical, physical, and electrical world. The behavior of inanimate things is investigated during the study of physics. Physics class periods are used mainly for explanation and demonstration. Little formal recitation is carried on in such classes. Chemistry deals with a study of the chemical composition of inanimate and ani- mate life. The lives of noted scientists are taken up in all courses in science. Natural Science is interesting to most students because it explains many incidents and facts which have puzzled and perplexed those who are ignorant of scientific explanations of these enignias. V COMMERCIAL ARTS DEPARTMENT The S. S. Central has a very complete commercial depart- ment. Its curriculum includes typewriting, stenography, book- keeping, commercial law, indus- trial geography, penmanship, and spelling. Accuracy first, speed next is the slogan of the type- writing classes. Stenography teaches students to take dicta- tion and to transcribe all of such dictation. Bookkeeping instills - into the student the rudiments mif:olmNlc.u. DRAVVING Room Of home OF Office HC001U1iif1S- Page IN lneteen