University of Northern Iowa - Old Gold Yearbook (Cedar Falls, IA)

Page 27 text:

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCE The Natural Science Department has a staff of highly trained teachers who possess a thorough knowledge of the range and scope of their respective fields. Three major lines of work are of- fered : Earth Science, Biological Science, and Argiculture. Each major line offers to students sufficient selec- tion for proper specialization. The laboratories are equipped with the most modern apparatus in order to acquaint students with the best scien- tific investigation. The aim of the Department is to train men and women adequately to be- come first-class teachers of these scien- ces in our public schools. Members of the teaching staff of the Natural Science Department are Em- mett J. Cable. Ph. D., University of Iowa; Alison E. Aitchison. M. S., University of Chicago; Roy L. Abbott. Ph. D.. University of Wisconsin; Winfield Scott, Ph. D.. Iowa State College: H. Earl Rath, M. S., Iowa State College; C. W. Lantz, Ph. D., University of Illinois; O. R. Clark, M.-A., University of Nebraska; and Dorothy Haffa, M. S., University of Chicago. Emmett V. Cable Head

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DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH There are three chief purposes of the English Department in this college. In the first place it is desired that students acquire while in college a more exten- sive knowledge of our native language and literature than they would probably acquire in a much longer period outside of school. Secondly, we attempt to set up and maintain a higher standard of accuracy, fitness, and effectiveness in both speaking and writing English thbn that which usually prevails in life out- side the college. Finally and chie y, we endeavor by example and precept fo suggest how children in public schools may be taught to appreciate the value of English literature in the enrichment of their lives and also the range, pow- er, flexibility, and beauty of the mother tongue in the expression of their thoughts and feelings in all phases of their existence. Recently the Department has added new work in Journalism, Speech Cor- rection. Scene Construction, and Stage Lighting. For the first two of these, new and well-equipped offices have been provided. The teacher in Journalism has general oversight of all college student publications, and he is also director of the college Publicity Bureau, the Alumnus,’’ and special bulletins. A Drama Shop covering the entire basement of the auditorium, a make-up room, and a costume room, all fully equipped, provide opportunity for practical ex- perience in the technique of play production. With these added facilities, the Department offers work that will prepare English and Speech majors for all the duties they may be called upon to per- form as teachers of these lines of work in the public schools.

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DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND COMMERCIAL EDUCATION Everything in our world is relative. Our lives are devoted to an effort to gain control of our surroundings by systematizing time and space, and as a result systematizing all sense percep- tion and ideas. This effort involves measurement and from the need for measurement has arisen the science of mathematics and the art of using the symbols. Our course in mathematics is organ- ized around this relationship. Oppor- tunity is afforded for contact with both pure and applied mathematics as well as with modern methods of teaching the subject. It is an attractive field in which to work. Modern educational administration expects of teachers of mathematics, preparation both academic and professional, ability in curriculum construction and in guidance of pupils. We have planned our curriculum to meet this demand. The expansion of commercial education in recent years is remarkable for both rapidity and quality. We no longer think of this form of education as something quite distinct and apart from that which we call academic. Less emphasis is being placed upon preparation for a job and greater emphasis upon making social adjustments which still enable the worker to function success- fully in his chosen calling. Whatever improves the ability of the individual to relate himself to the world in which he lives is worthwhile and is liberal educa- tion. The value of education for service in commerce and industry is no longer debatable. We are offering at this college a program for the training of teachers of commercial education which is planned in accordance with the objective set forth above. Nation-wide surveys in the United States show that the demand for teachers of commercial subjects in the secondary schools greatly exceeds the supply. This is a challenge to young people who are willing to make ade- quate preparation for meeting this demand. Ira S. Condit Head