Memphis University School - Owl Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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Students Examine Relevance Between Past and Present For a student to take his place in society, he must have an awareness of society ' s past history and present condition. After gain- ing an insight into his place in the world, the student is then able to plot the course of his future activities. The history courses, Bible, and Latin helped students relate the past to the pres- ent. Mr. MacQueen and Mr. Deadrick ' s American History Class, a survey of the American past from colonial days to the present, proved to be a constant nemesis of the junior and senior classes. The Bible course taught by Mr. William Elder sought to acquaint students with both the Old and New Testaments. Through the study of Latin, once again under Mrs. Higg ' s in- struction, the school familiarized students 1!»

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Communication Conveys Self-Expression In an impersonal, technological age of automation, communication among men has become of the utmost importance. A breakdown in the expression of thoughts and ideas is inevitably followed by a state of chaos. Through the study of foreign lan- guages, speech, and choral music, students were encouraged to formulate ideas of their own and to express them through means which are applicable to modern society. The Modern Foreign Language Depart- ment, which included the study of both French and Spanish, instructed student lin- guists in the basic skills of speaking, read- ing, understanding, and writing modern languages. Mrs. Robinson, chairman of the department, presented an in depth study of the French language and culture. Courses were available on first, second, third, and fourth year levels, as they were in Spanish, under the direction of Mr. Mutzi and Mr. Kon. The speech and choral music classes of- fered a means of personal expression. In his speech class, Mr. George Elder taught the finer points of public speaking. A choral music class, inspired by visiting glee clubs, was instituted at MUS this year. Students were given the opportunity to express themselves through song under the auspic- es of Mrs. Wesberry. 77

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1 with one basis of the English language. Economics, psychology, and ecology aided students in understanding present so- cial conditions. Economics, taught by Mr. Daniel, conveyed to future business ty- coons the finer points of money, business and labor cycles. In Mr. Garrison ' s psychol- ogy class, students studied patterns of human behavior. Ecology, a new course di- rected by Mr. Schurlds, dealt with the en- croaching environmental crisis. The class undertook such worthwhile projects as sponsoring a paper drive, presenting dis- plays, and the planting of saplings. Humanities, art appreciation, and music appreciation examined Western art, litera- ture, music, and philosophy. Through the study of these courses, students gained a greater appreciation and understanding of our culture. Enlightened men have long advocated the assimilation of all types of knowledge in order to produce a well rounded intel- lect. Even though some aspects may not lend themselves to practical application, knowledge of these subjects is invaluable in producing cultured individuals. Opposite page: {top) Mr. Elder and Tom Preston talk it out. (bottom, left) Mr. Russell lectures to An Ap- preciation class, (bottom, right) L. Weeks questions omission of The Stewardesses from American History reading list. This page: (top) Ecology student ' s con- cept of a model city, (center) Ecology class fails to re- verse the effects of DDT. (bottom) Bible students ex- amine posters made as a class project. 29