Bethel University - Spire Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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Language Lab: the other side of a theoretically good idea What is your opinion of the language requirement? Should it be dropped? ELDON ELSETH, senior: In my thinking there are two reasons students take a language course. First, for preparation in future vocations such as preaching or being a doctor; secondly, for those who intend to live abroad. Both desire grammatical training. The majority of students, however, do not need or desire this training. For those who desire a liberal arts education, a cultural course is needed. This could stimulate interest in other cultures rather than stifling it as it presently does. There should be an option — grammar study or culture study. PAT FAXON, senior: 1 don’t think it should be abolished, but the ways in which it can be fulfilled should be broader, for instance, the student should be able to fulfill it through study tours or intensive Studies of a culture. LAVERNE LARSON, freshman: I think the study of a language can be fun and rewarding if it's not done with the idea that it is compulsary. Anything done on one’s own initiative is more interesting because one is genuinely interested and studys harder. With these ideas in mind, I believe the requirement should be dropped. KAREN NELSON, senior: I feel it’s vital to a liberal arts education, but two years is too much. Foreign Language

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Allowed on our Great Man series only because her hair does not cover the end of her ears. Miss Jeannine Bohlmeyer has astounded the world with such pronouncements as Shakespeare has got it together ... John Dryden is right on ... A penny saved is a penny earned. Yes friends, this great woman, following in her own footsteps, has never failed to challenge any serious, hard-working student. This unheard-of calibur of teaching is due in part to the fact that she has never had such a student. Pioneering westward from the Carolinas, the newest addition to this flock of Greats arrived at Bethel College with great hopes.. Little did he suspect what challenges awaited him. Few believed Mr. Joly was his real name. And rumors began immediately when it was learned that Joyce , the person who captivated his entire personality, was not his wife after all. Undauted by public opinion, Mr. Joly continues to plot his next move. Some have heard him speak of New Zealand, others are hoping it will be Arden Hills. But whatever the possibilities, everyone agrees that Mr. Joly's decision will be no laughing matter. Known in most intellectual circles as the Great Bearded one, Mr. Jon Fagerson has accomplished many great things in many great fields. Although he prefers working in fields of flowers, he is forever finding Christians in strawberry fields. He is certain that his Harvard years keep him from recognizing the genius of W. C. Fields, but for some reason he laughs harder at all the jokes of President Nixon. Yes friends, it is this same bearded wonder that in all humility insists that he is not a great teacher, but those who know him best have trouble seeing his point. We now swing our heads back to the right and discover the final Great Man of today's presentation. Known intimately by those of the English department as a good head . Dr. Weintz is often found in his office putting to memory page after page of Webster's bestseller. Could this be the cause of his twinkling eyes: that he not only knows spelling and definition but also the page on which they are found? Or does this twinkling only reflect the prevailing vision of this great scholar that after years of detailed study remains a perfect 20-20? Now that we have seen the marks of character that bring ordinary men into prominance, now that we have witnessed the esoteric truth that legend has so patiently attempted to live down, now that we have met these Great Men of Bethel's English Department, we have only one question left to ask: what causes these Greats to remain at Bethel? What it could possibly be that keeps these scholars at this small school will forever remain an enigma, especially to those who support Bethel. In due respect, John Larson English

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Fourteen credits is almost as much as a related field. RON TROXEL, sophomore: I'm against the regulation because you're putting people in classes which they are not interested in. They are there just for the requirement and not to learn. I feel they should be put in a cultural class where they study a special culture for a semester or for a year. BOB MIKO, Clarion editor: If a person wants to drop the language requirement, why is he here at a liberal arts college? Also, one of the great faults of the Americans is that they are monolinguists. If you go to any foreign country you find that the people are bi or tri lingual. It's rather presupposing of these Americans that they expect everyone to learn their language but make no effort to learn others. Is it any wonder that the world hates Americans? JOHN MOORE, sophomore: I would like to see the language requirement abolished for all upper classmen as well as incoming freshmen. A language course could be revised though, from the present form, and tailored to complete credits for a specific degree. RAY SMITH, junior: Our language requirement helps, in its own small way to bring the world closer together. What's wrong with that? Dropping the language requirement only reflects America's tendency to slothfulness. Foreign Language