Nichols School - Verdian Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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ENGLISH The English department strives to imbue Nichols students with a standard of excellence in reading, writ- ing, and speaking. It aims to provide a knowledge of various literary forms, an acquaintance with the de- velopment of English and American literature, and some experience with Greek and Continental literature in translation. Emphasis is upon depth of perception and sensitivity to language. The courses stress the themes and ideas to be found in literature and the range, subtlety, and magnificence of the English lan- guage. For this approach a considerable variety of reading material is used in order to appeal to the range of abilities and tastes. Students are encouraged to de- velop their own ideas and to think independently, logi- cally, and honestly. They are taught to see similarities and differences among literary works they are studying and to relate literature with their own experiences and lives in the hope that they will seek and find intellec- tual and moral direction. By doing so, they will be able to live fuller inner lives and take a useful and responsi- ble part in the world of human beings. Paralleling the increased interest in the oral aspects of foreign languages, the English department has em- barked on a revised plan of study involving oral pre- sentations and seminar discussion groups. The amount, variety, and quality of written material will not be re- duced, and it is hoped that with the additional empha- sis on spoken English, a student will obtain broader control of all phases of language. The junior and sen- ior critical papers provide an opportunity for more than a use of footnotes and a bibliography. In writing these papers, the student is required to utilize the criti- cal techniques originally developed in the classroom, to create a work in which sound ideas and effective Eng- lish are closely interwoven. Thoreau once stated: I have traveled much in Con- cord. Hopefully, the study of literature in the English program will help the student to travel much at Nichols. Perhaps, too, the time has come for a reassessment: a refutation of the current Lord of the Flies view of man's depravity and an affirmation of man's good ca- pacities. The victory in the Great Debate can be gained by the courage to commit oneself to the life of the mind and the spirit. The English department would like to teach this kind of courage. Austin MCC . Fox AUSTIN MCC. FOX Chairman

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DWARD A. WILLIAMS EDWIN H. ANDERSON W. RICHARD OHLER, JR STEPHEN S. GURNEY JOSEPH C. MANCUSO