Memphis University School - Owl Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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Mr. Love— Lewis and Clark did not sail through the Florida Everglades. LZU A student ' s report captures the attention of Mr. Daniel. 20

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CULTURAL STUDY ENHANCES LANGUAGES Courses in foreign languages at MUS this year stimulated student interest through a pleasant mixing of the often monotonous study of grammar with interesting, diversionary studies of foreign culture, history, and literature. Mrs. Charles F. Higgs was Chairman of the Depart- ment of Foreign Languages. She holds a B.A. degree from Southwestern at Memphis and a M.A. degree from Bryn Mawr College. Other instructors were Miss Juanita Shettlesworth, Mrs. William Christenberry, and Mr. Jorge Antonio Saucedo. Miss Shettlesworth re- ceived her B.A. degree from Southwestern at Mem- phis and M.A. degree from Vanderbilt University, where she is presently working toward her Ph.D. in Spanish. Mrs. Christenberry received her B.A. de- gree from Memphis State University. Mr. Saucedo, a new teacher and a native of Brazil, graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a B.A. degree. Courses in Latin combined study of the written and spoken language with a general survey of an- cient Roman history and government. Mrs. Higgs created a stimulating atmosphere through room dec- orations such as busts of famous Roman orators and pictures of ancient Roman edifices. Students main- tained bulletin boards with reports and magazine articles pertaining to some aspect of Roman culture. Some students built models of Roman buildings and war machinery, and a group of students even pre- sented a short play in front of a student assembly. Miss Shettlesworth and Mr. Saucedo conducted the courses in Spanish. Study of the history, geog- raphy, and life in Spanish-speaking countries supple- mented the study of grammar. Students in first and second year classes gave reports on subjects ranging from Spanish exploration of the New World to the effect of the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City on the Mexican people. More advanced students generally concentrated on reading selected short sto- ries, novels, and drama in Spanish. Mrs. Christenberry also followed the pattern of study which mixed grammar study with the study of civilization and culture. In addition to making class reports, students read translations of French literature and wrote critical analyses of what they read. Third year students progressed to reading short stories in French, such as La Bourgeois Gentil- homme. Two students from MUS participated in the Advanced Placement program in French at Lausanne School. The class was conducted entirely in French under the direction of Monsieur Suffren, a native of France. The A. P. students read French literature ex- tensively and wrote two term papers in French. Mrs. Higgs, Department Chairman Spanish Class enjoys recitation in unison for Miss Shettlesworth. 19

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90CIAL 9CIENCE OFFERS DIVERSITY The Department of History and the Social Sciences continued this year to educate students at all levels in fields ranging from world geography to international politics. Directing this department was Mr. Leigh AAacQueen, Academic Dean. AAr. MacQueen received his B.A. degree from Southwestern at Memphis, and his M.A. from Memphis State University. Other members of the department were Mr. Jerry Peters, B.A., Southwest- ern at Memphis; Mr. Robert Pettit, B.S., Memphis State University; Mr. L. Daniel, Jr., B.B.A., Uni- versity of Mississippi; and Mr. Thomas Powell, B.S., Memphis State University. Geography, taught by Mr. Daniel and Mr. Powell, was a required course for seventh graders. The pur- pose of the course was to show the relationship be- tween people and place, emphasizing how and to what extent man has adapted to or modified his environment. Mr. Peters taught American Government and His- tory, a required course for eighth graders. Students studied the concepts and structure of government at all levels, how it operates, and how its powers are distributed. Geo-Politics, taught by Mr. Pettit was offered to ninth graders. The students made a survey study of the nations of the world, excluding Europe and the United States, attempting to understand the govern- ment, politics, and ways of life in each nation studied. Two elective courses offered to upper form students were Economics, taught by Mr. Daniel, and Modern European History, taught by Mr. Pettit. The Economics course was highlighted by talks by numerous guest speakers, including a labor union leader, a broker, a mortgage banker, and a mutual fund representative. European History students studied history from the seventeenth century on, considering the political, so- cial, and economic aspects of that history. Mr. Pettit also conducted two elective courses- international Politics and Russian History. International Politics students discussed international relations and how they are affected by world events. The Russian History course emphasized history since 1900, espe- cially since the Bolshevik Revolution. Students studied the Soviet society under Communism, the principles of .Marx and of Lenin, and the position of the Soviet man in the world today. One of the most interesting and demanding courses in school was American History, taught by Mr. Mac- Queen to juniors and seniors. In addition to hearing class lectures, students drew maps, read several books, and often discussed national issues relating both to past and current events. The course involved study not only of historical events but also of the philosophies of various leaders from the War of the Revolution up through the New Deal. Advanced Placement American History was basi- cally the same course as the regular course, but there was much more reading required. The students often held informal and formal discussions and debates, and they wrote an intensive research paper, all di- rected toward preparing them for the AP exam in May. Mr. MacQueen also conducted an Independent Study course in recent American History. Students in this seminar-type course met once a week for several hours at Mr. MacQueen ' s home, where they discussed the Crash of 1929, the Depression, World War II, and the administrations from Truman through Kennedy, including current events. Students led the discussion, forming and expressing their opinions in order to reach some conclusion.