University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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Under Journalism, the Daily Calif ornian should first be considered. In writing for the Californian, a member of the staff makes use of all the English he has learned through high school and college. He puts his ideas into words in the most concise form and in the quickest time possible. Mental alertness is not only valuable but indispensable. The Californian reporter feels a greater responsibility for his articles than for his English themes. In the one case he has an instructor and possibly a class, to judge his work; in the other he meets the careful scrutiny of the entire college public. Does he not deserve credit for one as well as the other? The Californian is so well sy tematized and the duties of the staff members so nearly uniform, that the apportionment of credit would be a very simple matter. The editorial staff of the Occident likewise deserve credit. While their work does not require the same speed or regularity as the Californian. it is none the less extensive, and is equally valuable since it is more original in character. For athletics, a course similar to that suggested for the Californian and the Occident has been adopted. Football. Track. Tennis. Rowing and Base- ball can be substitute d for prescribed gymnasium work, and this arrangement is satisfactory to all concerned. The question arises as to whether credit should be given for more than one year of Athletics. After the first year in college, the proper amount of exercise should be entirely voluntary. The University should not be asked to give credit for recreation. Dramatics furnish the best opportunity for the practice of any college work in oral expression and are as valuable as any of the activities so far

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in activity work as well as seminar work, and this value once assigned will need little readjustment. It is claimed that if credit is given, students will shirk other courses and endeavor to make a majority of their hours in activity work. This would not be the case, since one or two units per semester is sufficient for each activity. Furthermore, a man who wishes to succeed in an activity, must concentrate his efforts, and can not scatter his energy in a variety of pur- suits. But if the credit is as small as one or two units, what is the use in giving it? Students need a recognition of their ability from a higher and a capable authority and should not be required to depend on their self- assurance alone. This system would be particularly applicable for those who help to maintain the high standard of an activity without being able to fill the few places at the top. The proposed system would not detract from the honor in participating in an activity, but would add to it. A more thorough recognition of work insures greater honor. There are certain activities which are more beneficial to the student and require a greater amount of work than many snap courses. There are some subjects which are now parts of the curriculum and have only recently become such. Credit for graduation is given in industrial arts, agriculture, music, and advertising. These subjects were considered as outside activities not many years ago. If these subjects are accredited, it is not unreasonable to demand credit for outside activities which are fully as useful. The granting of this request would be in line with the established tendency to recognize applied knowledge.

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considered. But the very great inequalities in the amount and character of the tasks of the different participants, render any assignment of credit impossible. Furthermore, the introduction of any credit system would destroy the spontaneity which is so essential to true artistic success. The merits of debating are too well known to need any emphasis, but the same difficulties which make the credit system impractical for dramatics apply also to this activity. Student musicians have recently been recognized by the Faculty as de- serving of credit. The University Orchestra is now a regular course in the Department of Music. Any one who has heard the Orchestra, feels that the single unit which is given them for their conscientious practice and splendid results is only too meager. Other universities, among them Columbia and Washington, accredit work in Journalism which corresponds almost identically with that of the Califoriiitiii and the Occident, and eminently satisfactory results have been obtained. If the system operates successfully in institutions which exist under conditions similar to those at the University of California, it must be feasible and deserves a trial. There is no reason why this trial should not In- successful and lead to the permanent incorporation of Journalism as an undergraduate course. If this were done. Journalism would become an activity in the true sense of the word, with an increase in all of its benefits to the entire L ' niversity.