St Ignatius High School - Ignatian Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

Page 30 text:

RIGHT: The energetic and creative nature of Mr. I’axko thrives in an atmosphere of curious freshmen. BELOW: In its second year of existence, the American History course has reached a new level of excellence partly through the unique efforts of Mr. Gallagher. 28

Page 29 text:

LEFT: A now addition to the Theology Department, Mr. Boilieh, is the first marriage instructor to have personal experience in the field. Theology Creates Change, Offers Ignatians Challenge If St. Ignatius does not devote its energies and talents primarily to the formation of Christian men, tin- school fails in its most hasie purpose. Theology plays perhaps the most explicit role in this formation by challenging the student's often unprogressive and unexplored faith and by imparting a body of knowledge with which lie may intelligently come to grips. “Meaningful change, the most appropriate phrase to dcscrilx. the advances of the Theology Department, centered around the area of curriculum. A large step involved the change to five periods of theology a week for sophomores, juniors, and seniors; teachers found they could not present their developed courses under the previous three-day-a-week system. These courses began in freshman year with important studies in Scripture. With this background sophomores grasped the full implications of Fr. Karl Palmer's statement: ''Man is for man the way to Cod. The studies of man-in-isolation, man-in-situation, the Church, and the sacraments formed the bulk of this course. Juniors received a more specialized curriculum which consisted of three diverse courses: Social Communications examined man's relation to man and groups of men through communication; the Vocation Course offered Ignatians the opportunity to consider their commitment to the redemptive mission of Jesus Christ; finally, to aid the student’s understanding of his emotions, a Human Dynamics Course was offered. The culmination of the four-year program consisted of studies in the Person of Jesus, Faith and the Formation of Conscience, Marriage, and the Church. All courses stressed ideas current in theological thinking. The purpose of the Jesuit high school is to prepare outstanding men for the Church, society, and family. If St. Ignatius is nothing more than an excellent college-preparatory school, a school with outstanding athletic teams and great spirit, this purpose becomes farcical. Tin- Theology Department employs itself most directly upon this problem and rests most firmly on this challenge. 27

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LEFT: Mr. Wilhelms is baffled by yet another volley of fresh- men queries. History Department. SKATED: Mr. John I ley wood (History 2. 3: English 3): Mr. Thomas Basko (History I. 3, 4; Department Head): IV. Thomas Slie.i, S.J.. (History 4; 'Ilieoloity 3). STANDING: Mr. Alan Wi’helms (History 1, 2); Mr. John Tobin (History 1; I’hys. Ed.); Mr. Jaim-s Barrett (History 1; Latin I); Mr. Patrick Gallagher (History 2. 3). Modernization of Program Improves Study of History t i In an age when students throughout our nations schools want to know just where the world is going, it is important to first know whence the world came. The History Department aims to develop this understanding and awareness in the students. The three-level program at Ignatius began in first year with World History; here the freshmen took in a comprehensive view of the origins of Western civilization. The second phase in the Ignatius system illuminated the study of American History. Students in their sophomore or junior year found the emphasis on critical thought processes rather than on strict memorization — a method which resulted in a deeper understanding of the American heritage. Seniors interested in augmenting their historical knowledge had various choices open to them this year. A detailed study of Modem European History, taught and planned by Fr. Thomas Shea. S.J., and Mr. James Manwell, S.J., examined many divergent aspects of European growth from the Renaissance to the fresh pages of the '60’s. Also available to juniors and seniors was Mr. Pasko’s non-Westem History course which encompassed the study of China, Japan, and India. Finally, the creation of an Afro-American Studies course, open to students of all four years, tapped a new area of historical scholarship. Organized over the summer and taught by the students themselves in seminar fashion, this innovative subject gave many Ignatians vital insights into the hidden history of the black American. With new instructors Mr. Alan Wilhelms, Mr. Martin Chambers, and Mr. James Manwell, S.J., and a new department head in Mr. Thomas Pasko, the History Department continued to stimulate student interest and facilitate the formation of a critical thought process. 29