Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE Dr. Walfred Peterson uses a witty analogy to illustrate a problem in political science. The class “gets it.” Degrees Received Probably the largest number of graduates this year are majors in the department of history and political science. Besides the addition of two Ph. D’s, the department offered a major in political science — new last year — and a total of five semesters of reading courses for the ambitious student of world affairs. Of course it is not always smooth sailing as the beginning historian finds out when he discovers that an “important date” does not necessarily mean Saturday night. And there are oral com-prehensives for history majors to bone up on before graduation. This year the department has taken on a teaching assistant to help with the larger classes in freshman history. Next year they will become even larger as the course “Introduction to Western Civilization” becomes a requirement for graduation. Here the history department takes on a new responsibility for the general education of the student body as well as providing a field for specialization. At first it may not seem important that Napoleon met his Waterloo or that Boston had its tea party. But more and more one realizes the value of the past as a guide for the present and the future. DALPHY FAGERSTROM Ph.D., Chairman American History ROY C. DALTON Ph.D. European History WALFRED PETERSON Ph.D. Political Science FRANCIS WHEELER M.A. Ancient History 26

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ENGLISH AND SPEECH Busy With Ideas While upper division students were learning the first names of authors’ wives, journalism students dashed from convocation to typing room trying to meet deadlines for their instructor. However, they learned from Mr. Robert Hosokawa, news editor of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, that there is more to putting out a newspaper than merely meeting deadlines. Also new to the staff this year is Mr. Chris Wcintz who manages to make even criticism interesting. Freshmen, inured since high school to the rigors of composition and grammar find that it takes on a new and interesting slant when they read THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS for their study of “Language.” This year the new seven part program also program also provides for study in areas such as “Environment,” “Religion and Ethics” and “Mass Media of Communication.” This summer, Daily Vacation Bible School students throughout the Conference churches will be studying about Bethel from a handbook prepared by the English department in collaboration with the fine arts department. Closely related to the English department is the area of speech and communications. Everyone realizes the value of speech techniques and the growth of self-confidence resulting from constant practice. To assist in this program, Bethel acquired Mr. Q. T. Smith who is an especially enthusiastic debate coach. GERALD W. HEALY M.A. English, Literature MAURICE LAWSON M.A., B.Th. English Literature RICHARD CURTIS Q. T. SMITH ELIZABETH Ph.D. M.A. MILLER Speech Speech, Debate M.A. Freshmen Composition LILLIAN RYBERG M.A. Freshmen Composition 25

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SOCIAL SCIENCES Cultures Studied Other people and their problems arc important to many students on Bethel’s campus. Many of these students major in the social sciences, so that they may more easily and sympathetically understand the various cultures and situations involving these people. Personalities, social institutions and contemporary social problems arc studied. Students majoring in this area are usually preparing for teaching, social work, missions, business or government. However, many students take social science courses just to understand social behavior and thereby become better citizens and persons. Courses in sociology and social work give students a view of how people live in groups and in social institutions. They get an idea of the types of research and field work involved in social work. Courses in specific problems such as crime and delinquency give room for investigation into these specific areas. Anthropology students study man in his various cultures. These courses enable students to see people through their own culture and to understand why they feel and act the way they do. Courses such as “Religions of Man” are valuable in knowing other people. Material needs and how they are met as well as the ways in which producer and consumer help each other are studied in economics. BETTY DANIELSON M.A. Social Work GEORGE J. JENNINGS B.D., M.A. Geography, Anthropology George Jennings helps Phil Van Dc Voordc to find the site of an ancient native culture discussed in anthropology class. HARLAND MICKELSON M.A. Sociology ROY RODGERS M.A. Family 27