Southwest Baptist University - Mozarkian Yearbook (Bolivar, MO)

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,min It has been rather widely illus- trated that one fundamental pro- blem of our World today has been inherited from the descendants of Shem in the Valley of Shinar. The Capacity of individuals in a social environment to build anything-- a family, a community, a tower, or a civilization--depends on the ability of each individual to under- stand and to be understood. Christian citizenship and leader- ship in our world today demand not only that we understand one another within the circle of our friends, but that we understand our contemporaries beyond the boundaries of culture, ideology and language. These scenes from an Organ Re- cital fleftl, a Drawing Class fbelowj, and a Language Class qbottomy indicate some of the various studies included in the Division of Humanities. x '15 bggi' 1 'E lik, ...j hn.r,,,,-,WM The blight of defective communication has more per- sistantly disabled the creative relationships between peoples and nations than any other continuing World problem. If we are to build and maintain apeaceful world in our day the two-fold responsibility of under- standing and being understood must be carried out not only on the contemporary level but also with regard to the expressions of past generations and of other cultures. While communication with our contemporaries and our predecessors is largely carried on by means of the language media, other types of creative expression such as Art, Music and Drama are also vital media for the transferal of ideas. A Liberal Arts education remains incomplete until the student has become generally conversant with his human- istic heritage. This includes both the skills and the end products of human creativity in terms of literature, art, and music. Neither is it limited to a single culture or a single language, therefore, every student shouldtraverse the language barrier and discover for himselfthe human- istic wealth of at least one other culture during his col- lege career. The Division of Humanities at Southwest Baptist College is vitally concerned with the individualls understanding and effective utilization of the techniques and media of communication. Basic in this concern is the Freshman English Composition requirement for every student and the Humanities requirement for graduation. Students who select a major or minor from one of the Departments of the Division of Humanities may have in mind careers in teaching, writing, or one of the many related fields in journalism, radio and television. In addition, the business world is putting a premium on effective and pleasing communication in terms of ad- vertising, public relations, and management. No mat- ter what type of career is planned, the student will find that courses from the Division of Humanities will bring him personal satisfaction and enjoyment. 13

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Basic to the task of Southwest Baptist College is its com- mitment to the purpose of producing future leaders who are spiritually as well as intellectually developed. Since culture that leaves out God has in it untold dangers, this institution views education and religion as complementary aspects of one life process. Ifeducation is to be concerned with reality, it must recognize that man's fundamental adjustment is not to society but to God. lt is the purpose of the Division of Religion to equip students with a knowledge of the Bible and the Christian heritage and to lead them to the realization that such knowledge, when properly assimilated and de- veloped, permeates and directs all phases oflife. The basic courses in Bible History which are required of all graduates lay a foundation for such knowledge and development. While the Division of Religion offers a major and minors to students whose life commitment is toward some phase of Christian service, many students whose major work is else- where in the curriculum select several elective courses from the Division to help them serve more effectively in their local churches as laymen. !2. Ours is an age characterized by a blight of isms. Secularism reduces life to the level of com- monplaceg deterrninism insists that blind historical or natural- istic forces determine the course of history and the nature of mang rationalism sets the human mind upon the throne of the universe and seeks salvation in reason and the declarations of science. How- ever, Christian education re- pudiates faithle s s rationalism, materialistic determinism, and godless secularism. N l ! I l 3

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But getting lost is not the answer! Whatever the specific answer for our world it will most certainly be made by those individuals who commit themselves to the tasks of the day with a human potential raised to its highest power by being both mentally and spiritually prepared. The Division of Social Science at Southwest Baptist College is dedicated to the basic task of analyzing and examining the action and interaction of men and nations. No individual is fully prepared in the mental realm who has failed to acquire an understanding and appreciation of both the rational and irrational aspects of, and re- lations between, his own personality and the society in which he lives. It is, after all, in this maze of relation- ships called our world that we must live. Both Christian maturity and responsible citizenship depend upon an intelligent understanding of social behavior in its widest sense. For this reason the Social Sciences are in integral part in the general education program of every student at Southwest. More specifically, an emphasis in one of the academic fields of the Division of Social Science can lead directly to one of several vital careers and professions. Many students who look forward to a career in teaching, journalism, social work, the gospel ministry, law, foreign service, foreign trade, business or government take their bachelor degree with amaj or or minor in one of the fields of this Division. Monstrous challenges confront our world today, defying our capacity of description and evading our comprehension. Like thunder - heads gathering before the storm, these challenges cast lengthening shadows of pessimism over man and his world. As the contem- porary prophets of doom solemnly announce impending catastrophy, we are tempted to thrust our heads into the sands of personal pre- occupation. The temptation is to get lost, to play dumb, to evade our responsibility of facing these challenges squarely! One of our several students from other lands, Miss Christina'Chu, points to her home, Hong Kong, China qbelowj. People are funny and the study of people intheir social environment helps us enjoy ourselves --and our studies fbottoml.