Brandeis University - Yearbook (Waltham, MA)

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Generol Eclucofion S Those of us who attended the first meeting of General Education S in Sep- tember were somewhat apprehensive. We feared that the move from the com- pletely informal, smoke-filled Castle lounge to the more formal and elegant Slosberg Auditorium would change the atmosphere of a course which we had eagerly anticipated. Fortunately, the change in locale did not alter what had been considered in the past the spirit of General Education S. In former years, the course had been rather loosely organized, lacking con- crete means of evaluating the benefit which each student derived from the speakers. The most obvious innovation for the class of 1958 was the assignment of papers. Some criticism has been raised that the papers required merely 'rou- tine research' rather than 'creative thinking' In the final analysis, however, the choice was made according to the individual student. There was a change in our general attitude to the course. Going to a General Education lecture was no longer a way of spending a relaxing Thursday evening. Instead, there appeared notebooks, pencils, and the intent atmosphere of the classroom. The purpose of the newly inaugurated student panel was to provide an in- telligent opening to the question period. More than that, however, it gave the student panelist the opportunity of personally meeting disinguished individuals in the intimate atmosphere of an informal dinner. This course will be directed toward giving the student some insight into the nature of decision making, and helping him to formulate standards and values for a productive life after leaving college. Each man whom we have met at 'General Education S has made some signifi- cant contribution to humanity. Some of these men, however, although worthy of our respect because of their achievements, have been unable to communicate their greatness to us. Perhaps it is not fair to ask a speaker to bare his innermost soul to an audience of strangers. Some question the ability of a man to help us formulate standards by self-revelation within a strict time limit. Perhaps, also, the individual does not have the desire to reveal himself. That person is certainly within our experience at General Education S. Yet, there re- mains the other speaker, the one who has stimulated our thought and helped us to crystallize our own philosophies of life. We look to these men for the fulfill- ment of the goals of General Education S. ,1 's f, s .7 ng ,!'1 ' 1' 'W-' ' i A . 39

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jA.l 0LLg if - --gre: M vi SMITH . . . Smith Dormitory for girls . . . girls emigrate from Castle to change places with the boys . . , Brandeis' Howard Johnsons Cminus the orange roof J . . . lighting fires - toasting marshmallows - strumming guitars - reading poetry - playing detective . . . knotty pine walls . . . warm atmosphere . . . low eaves . . . discussions on how to outwit Security or Rules were made for foolsn flu, JQMOL CASTLE . . . Muddy moats and towering turrets protecting Freshmen damsels from the Babbitts of the Brandeis campus . . . learning about life in plush quadruple complete with modern plumbing and double deckers . . . dining in the morgue, treading the fragrant tunnel with its foreboding collin- like cabinets . . . tanning in elegant sun decks modestly concealed from most -of the world C except for a passing helicopter or twoj . . . the Com- mons - scene of study and mixers, lectures and love . . . late washes at the laundry room - ,place of medieval romance and adventure twentieth centurized . . .