Rhodes School - Rhodester Yearbook (New York, NY)

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ae | A discussion at a Preceptorial outing. over such a wide variety of subjects that a brief account cannot adequately describe the work, However, by focusing on some representative projects, an idea of the many aspects of the program may be conveyed. The members of one group were deeply concerned about the fate of religion in the modern world. After discussing this issue in general terms, they read poems, plays, and autobiographies, which described spiritual crises. During the second semester they under- took a study of The Byble as literature, beginning with a consideration of The Book of Job. Quite different preoccupations led the members of other groups to discuss the relationship between the sciences and the humanities. They began by considering the reasons for the traditional hostility of the artist toward scientific facts, and then attempted to state the differences between the scientist’s view of the world and the artist’s, as well as some similarities. Other members of the program were interested in studying the uniqueness of contemporary art forms. One discussion revolved around the possible historical and psychological reasons for the emergence of abstract painting. Modern plays, such as Ibsen’s Ghosts and Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard were also read at this time. After reading Ghosts, some decided to pursue their interest in Ibsen and read some of his other works. Other students, rather than focusing on one author, decided to explore the possibilities of a single literary genre; satire and comedy were among those selected for study. Still others chose to discuss a single fictional work which raises important moral issues, such as Brecht’s The Good Woman of Setzuan, or to consider the ideas advanced in a contemporary philosophical work, such as Joseph Wood Krutch’s The Modern Temper. All students visited the New York City museums many times during the year. On these occasions, they increased their familiarity with the permanent.collections of paint- ings and sculpture, and were introduced to the work of new artists such as Edward Hopper, Max Beckmann, Pierre Bonnard, Alexander Calder, Ivan Albright, and the “optical” artists. Many groups also listened to music during some sessions. One issue raised was whether or not music should attempt to describe or imitate the real world. They also considered the various theories which explain the power of music to evoke an emotional response. The specific activities and projects-of the-preceptorial program have varied from year to year. What has remained constant is the enthusiasm and interest on the part of the students, Dif

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PRECEP TORIAL an’ “ % The preceptorial seminars are an important supplement to the programs of a selected group of students at Rhodes, each of whom is encouraged to extend the scope of his interests beyond the range of the usual high school curriculum. Because of the small size of these classes, every individual who participates plays a vital role; the special gifts and sensibilities of the members truly determine the direction which any single group will take. Each student here has the Opportunity to develop, and to share, his knowledge of the field of his choice, whether his interests lie in art, history, psychology, science, litera- ture, music, or religion, He also becomes acquainted with the preoccupations of others, and as he does so, is often stimulated to consider new areas of experience, previously unex- plored by him. There is no fixed course of study: the most important single characteristic of the preceptorial program is its flexibility. The program can therefore serve many different purposes in the lives of the students, Some members claim that its greatest value lies in the fact that it provides a full intro- duction to the arts. By visiting museums and the theater, by reading poems, and listening to classical music, students learn that they can respond to all forms of emotional ex- pression. Such experiences often have the additional effects of stimulating the members in their own creative work, and of fostering interest in a particular artist, writer or composer, which will survive long after graduation. Many students feel that the heart of the program lies in the weekly discussions, Here, an important outlet is provided for the presentation of the ideas of each individual; these are often clarified, and sometimes qualified, by the comments of the other members of the group. Because of the relaxed intimacy of the setting, students feel free to question all previously accepted assumptions and to explore any issue with which they are con- cerned. Our discussions often focus either on a specific work or on a general moral or aesthetic problem. The connections between fields which have been studied separately up until now are investigated: the relationships between science and the humanities, art and morality, literature and history, are among the subjects of inquiry. Once the group decides upon an issue it wishes to consider, each member is encouraged to.work inde- pendently on that aspect which interests him most. Books and magazine articles are read, and oral reports presented, despite the fact that no credit is given for.the course. The preceptorial program gives students confidence in their abilities 4nd respect for creative intellectual endeavor. These are its most significant achievements. The members of the preceptorial program determine their own course of study, and | the directions taken by the groups this year were highly unique: The discussions ranged ) 56

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GLIMPSES COLLEGE OF Dr. John Ciardi Dr. Eric F. Goldman This year, the Glimpses of College lectures not only heightened student academic interest, but served as a means of broadening the horizons of everyone throughout the school. Rhodes was fortunate to have a host of distinguished lecturers speak on subjects to which they have devoted their whole lives. The first lecturer was Professor Ernest J. Simmons, who has taught at Harvard, Cornell, and Columbia. He spoke on Leo Tolstoi’s novel, War and Peace. According to Dr. Simmons, War and Peace is one of the greatest novels ever written. The original novel was to be a trilogy, but when it was published in December of 1869 it was a six-volume single novel, representing six years of Tolstoi’s life. Dr. Simmons also touched on the subject of Tolstoi as a moral reformer and a believer in Christianity. For its second program, Rhodes was honored to have Dr. John Ciardi, poetry editor for the Saturday Review and author of the book How Does a Poem Mean? The essence of his talk was that too much emphasis is placed on a poem’s meaning. Dr. Ciardi stated that the main thing one should look for in a poem is its ‘‘thingness.” ‘““A poem is like a well-made fire,” he said. “If the fire is made correctly only a flat level of ash will remain. A poem is like that—you want to use it all.’” This was Dr. Ciardi’s third visit to Rhodes, and on each occasion he spoke to a full house. The December speaker was Dr. Thomas P. Robinson, Professor of History and Philosophy and Vice-President for University Relations at New York University. His talk on “Inauguration and the American Experience’ was well received by the students. A fascinating subject that intrigues all ages is that of the cinema. Rhodes was fortu- nate to have as its fourth speaker Professor Norman Silverstein of Queens College, who discussed the topic “The Film as an Art Form.” He said that films are vehicles for con- veying the tragic elements of life as well as the happy moments. Professor Silverstein then went on to talk about some of the technical aspects of film-making. This was Professor Silverstein’s second opportunity to talk to Rhodes’ students. Last year, his talk on James Joyce was well received. 58