Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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Dr. Richard Remnek ' s comparative politics class typifies the small size and intimate nature of honors classes. Dr. Joseph R. Riley, Director of the University Honors Program. Marjorie McCaul and Bob Christensen consult Mrs. Madelon Evans, Secretary of the Interdisciplinary Programs, about the Honors Program curriculum. Junior political science major Randy Stephens enrolled in the pro- gram because, it gives me a better chance to explore in-depth areas outside the regular classroom stud- ies, and gives me more extensive preparation for a career involving my major. In addition to courses designed for honors credit, students had the option of contract ing with instructors to receive honors credit for general courses. Susan Cummins, junior political science major, received honors credit for her freshman and sophomore Spanish courses by reading Spanish short stories and novels and doing etymological re- search. The hallmark of the honors pro- gram was the flexibility it allowed students in planning their curricu- lum. Emphasis was placed on stu- dent initiative and innovation. Ac- cording to Dr. Riley, Our objective is not to be nit-picking, but to pro- vide students with a greater oppor- tunity to learn. Academics 13

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Honors Program Offers Wider Horizons Formerly the home of Stenographic Services, this vacant area will eventually be remodeled as a lounge for honors students. Honors Students Association officers: Standing from the left: Wayne Henry, University Honors Committee delegate; Randy Stephens, president; Ray Riley, vice-president. Seated: Susan Cummins, secretary-treasurer. Exceptional students at MSU did not have to waste their talents in low- er division classes that did not chal- lenge their abilities, or be satisfied with a degree curriculum designed for the average C student, thanks to the University Honors Program. The program offered honors sections of lower division courses and special upper division seminars for students with a 3.0 GPA or above. Limited to fifteen students, class- es allowed greater participation at a level not experienced in an ordinary class, according to honors director Dr. Joseph R. Riley. This is mainly a program of self- fulfillment, Dr. Riley said. We are not especially practically oriented. He emphasized t he freedom of stu- dents to choose their courses and design programs best suited to fit their needs. Students really have a voice in these things, as far as choosing topics of study. 12 Academics

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Students Delve Into Past to Discover Choctaw Heritage Beneath a simple thatched-roof hut, time seems to stand still. Standing silently atop a Missis- sippi riverbluff there exists a part of Memphis State University which is over 1000 years old — Chucalissa Indian Village. Chucalissa, meaning abandoned houses in Choctaw, is a pre- historic Indian town which has been reconstructed by the MSU Anthro- pology Department. Throughout the year anthropology students delved into the secrets of the excavation sites and helped with the construction of exhibits. MSU is one of the few universi- ties in the South where students have an opportunity to participate year round in actual field, lab and museum work, said Dr. Gerald P. Smith, curator of Chucalissa since 1968. Continuing Education offered a basic archaeology course featuring field experiences, classroom lec- tures and lab work, said Mark Hag- gitt, educational coordinator for the museum. Other archaelogical classes in- cluded museum operation, which taught museum procedures and ex- hibit work. Archaeological lab techniques provided experience for students in dating, washing, cataloging and preserving artifacts. Field excavations were featured in the summer by a class in archae- logical field techniques. 14 Academics