University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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'The Social Sciences . . . prepare the student to solve his problems today, and to meet the even more difficult situations that will confront him tomorrow. by PEARL WALDORF The social sciences, in matter of scope, number of courses, and importance, make up one of the most vital influences of the University of Miami curriculum. It would be impossible to obtain a diploma without coming under the direct effect of the social studies. The social studies teacher is concerned primarily with inspiring in students a proper understanding and appreciation of our democratic institutions, procedures, and practices. This has been done through a proper regard for the past, suggested plans for the future, and a general policy of making the students vividly and deeply aware of our social world so that they will lx able to solve the problems that will confront them. In this field — the study of human relations — are history, economics, sociology. political science, etc. We are most concerned with the four mentioned. It is not an exaggeration to say that it is difficult to state where one lx gins and another ends, because any one of the four embraces the other three. As sciences these four are babies. Their development is only in the formative stage, and daily our old concepts undergo changes as our investigative processes broaden. The name, social studies, is most apt. One could not doubt for a moment that they are social: the very-essence of each is man- or the human factor. As for being sciences’' this depends entirely upon the approach to the study. In the University, whether by virtue of the texts used, the method of teaching, or learning, it is true they are sciences. The approach to these subjects is based upon a consideration of all the available data; conclusions are drawn from this study. It is not always possible to go to original sources for data, but students are well disciplined in the use of projx r authorities. The place of the Social Sciences in the University curriculum is a difficult question to answer, l'or example: at most universities, courses in economics are found in the College of Liberal Arts; the University of Miami places these courses in the School of Business Administration. This in no way hampers the Liberal Arts student, for the close cooperation of the departments allows a student to take courses in all the schools at the same time. It has been indicated that these subjects, as such, are young. However, their rapid rise in prestige gained in the last thirty years leads one to the discovery that there is a definite trend toward emphasis of the social sciences over the pure sciences. More and more an enlightened view of the problems facing man is becoming necessary. Nowhere can a more intelligent key to the situation be found than in the field of social science. Here ever) phase of the relationships of man are viewed impartially, technically. and fully—i.e. scientifically. Without at least a basic knowledge of the social studies, citizens cannot lx? intelligent voters. A doctor, though he saves many lives, is not beneficial to his community or to himself if his unenlightened vote helps to elect an unscrupu’ous candidate. He has an obligation to society to find out about and to help cure “sick” issues and “sick candidates, just as he has an obligation to help sick jx ople. If we do not recognize the obligation to study issues and to vote intelligently, then our democracy is seriously imperilled. To safeguard ourselves against the empty promises of (Kiliticians and the glib but subtle propaganda of newspapers, we must study the social sciences. If we are familiar with our own as well as foreign history, we have a concrete basis for evaluating present historical trends; if we understand the sociological structures of our institutions and the processes of social change, we arc less likely to lx perplexed by recent social changes; if we know economic laws and the problems of economics, we can lx tter judge the financial projects of our government: and if we know the intricacies of |x litica! science, all the rigmarole of party politics becomes greatly simplified, and we are free to judge issues and candidates objectively. Heading the history department of the University of Miami is I)r. Harold E. Briggs. Other faculty members are Dr. J. Paul Reed, associate professor of sociology: Dr. Robert K. McXicoll. assistant professor of Latin American History and Institutions; Mr. Paul E. Eckel, instructor in history: Mr. Robert B. Downes, instructor in history; and Mr. Ernest McCracken, instructor in economics and political science. Inevitably any progress of the University will carry with it the growth of the social science curriculum; looking ahead, one can almost sec. or at least predict, the expansion of the social studies toward broader opportunities for the undergraduate in planning his college courses — always with that ultimate goal of preparing the student to solve his problems today and to meet the even more difficult situations of tomorrow. 123]

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An early Campus Cill rns' comuiltlrr liirrllng Active Campus Citizens . . . stir up constructive student opinion. What will be accomplished depends upon the cooperation of the entire student body. by ROBERTA BUTLER Oct of the school spirit and enthusiasm of students who desire to make the University of Miami go places there has risen the germ of an organization now known as Campus Citizens. It is composed of all those students who are interested in solving University problems and increasing University influence in the community. Every organization, honorary, social and religious, has been asked to send representatives to the meetings, but it is not limited to them alone. Anyone who is interested may help. Campus Citizens was not begun to take the place of any organization on campus. Its idea is to stir up constructive student opinion concerning our problems as an aid to solving them constructively. It can hardly lx called an organization at all. We have started to work on the problems that seem most outstanding right now, but how much will be done depends upon the student body as a whole. If it supports Campus Citizens, we cannot fail. What has been done so far? Three committees have been appointed by the chairman to work on the various purposes of the organization. First is the orientation committee, now working out plans to get a two day orientation period for freshmen next year. Whether this can l e accomplished will be decided by the administration. James Munley, I-oslic Mann. Harry Odell, Ray Creel, and others are working on the project. The cultural committee is designed to plan for free University dramatic presentations: a limited number of free concerts and extensive use of recordings of the orchestra and band in schools and civic clubs of the area: motion pictures of the University classrooms, campus and athletic activities, to be shown throughout Greater Miami: more radio programs from classrooms and radio lectures by our professors: Pan-American University programs in schools and clubs. Working on this committee are Henry Meyer, Jack Madigan, Steve McCrimmon. and others. Campus Citizens hopes to make the culture of the University indispensable to the city of Miami. The project committee is trying to improve student life in many ways. Their task is to plan promotion of a library browsing room: elimination of chatter in the library projjer: elimination of inconsequential announcements and calling students out of classrooms during the period: seeing that we get copies of all text books put on reserve in the library so that students will not get behind at the beginning of the term: suggesting that football players may In given their text l ooks permanently: helping to eliminate cheating; and starting an open forum for discussion of topics of general interest. Those serving on this committee are: Seymour Simon. Robert Hillstead, Lloyd Whyte, Ce-cile Gaddis. Mildred Zinn. Hetty Jean Vasary, Bernard Sokolow, and others. Further organization of the group is limited to a chairman, at present Philip Fenigson, and a secretary. Roberta Butler. As the group becomes more fixed, it will become more organized. Whether its purposes will be accomplished and new problems brought up to be solved depends upon your initiative, students of the University of Miami. [22]

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An Enlightened View . . . of human relationship, approached objectively, is gotten through the study of history, sociology, political science, and economics. HISTORY A study of the social sciences is vital and pertinent. The average person today is greatly concerned with political developments, economic theories, and social unrest. In the social sciences history occupies a position of importance; an understanding of it gives one a major approach to all social sciences. To the ancient Greeks history meant inquiry or learning by inquiry. The earliest records of the past were passed on by word of mouth. The formal teaching of history came when princes were taught about their own land so that they might rule it letter; when military men studied it for the values gained in their field; and when the men of letters gave attention to it. The crowded curriculum of the Middle Ages gave little or no emphasis to the study of history. By the 16th century, historical study gained importance and was a natural outgrowth of the nationalistic spirit of that age. The greatest expansion came in the 18th century with the origin of scientific history. Today, as in no other age, there is need for a basic understanding of history. Innumerable values may lx derived from historical study; citizenship is built upon past and present concepts: and society is better understood in the light of ancient people and cultures. To Comprehend the growth of dictators and other present political developments there must exist knowledge of past actions that have made such conditions possible. In its last analysis history is the presentation, scientific and literary', of the evolution of man in his activities as a social being. The modern student recognizes the values gained from the study of history. Every year the registration in history courses has increased throughout the United States. In the University, over two hundred students are registered in each of the survey courses in European and American history. The history department of the University of Miami is continually expanding its program. Under the leadership of Dr. Harold E. Briggs, graduation requirements for students majoring in the field of history have been set. Dr. Briggs, recognizing that the advanced history student needs more specialized knowledge, has introduced required courses in historiography and thesis writing. Survey courses in both European and American history are offered to the undergraduate desiring a broad outline of civilization. For those students desiring special study within the various fields, courses such as history of American frontier, of American diplomacy, of the South, protes-tant reformation, and Latin American culture are available. Bernice Milliman ECONOMICS Thk teaching of economics is handled by Messrs. Ernest McCracken, Otho V. Ovcrholser, Stewart W. Girriel, and Robert Downes, in addition to their other courses in other fields. In the University of Miami economics is found in the School of Business Administration, but the course is taken by students from all schools. The beginning courses are preceded by an elementary course of principles of business. This is a general survey class designed to give the students an idea of what to ex| cct in the regular and more advanced courses. Then come Economics 111 and 112. In these the field of economics falls naturally into live main divisions; namely, consumption, distribution, production, exchange, and government with a sulxlivision of economic control. Among the advanced courses are included: Economic Problems; Economic History of the United States. Europe, and Latin America: Marketing: Salesmanship and Advertising; Real Estate Principles and Practices: Public Utilities: International Economic Relations; and Advanced Economic Theory. This plan of courses includes a step by step analysis of the underlying principles and applications of the field. Leading up to the ultimate course in Advanced Economic Theory, which includes a development of economic doctrines and schools of economic thought from earliest times, with extensive reading in source material, the courses are well-rounded. In consideration of the progress made in recent years they are comparative to what is offered in some of the largest universities. The plans for the future expansion in this department are great and since many of the economic ideas are constantly under pressure of criticism, the flexibility of the courses at the University will serve as an asset in future development.—Pearl Waldorf POLITICAL SCIENCE During the 17th and 18th centuries there was some doubt as to the possibility of a study of the state. Today it is imperative. As we have no longer an old world and a new, neither have we independent politics but rather world |M litics. Present trends in world [24]