Valparaiso University - Beacon / Record Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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FOREIGN lANGUAGE The department of Foreign Languages might well be said to offer students the linguistic tools for living in almost any major geographical area of our world; in fact one could even be able to fit into the ancient world of the Greeks and Romans. How is this possible? A beginning student is offered a reading knowledge of German, Greek, Latin, or Spanh ish. An advanced student may choose, for example, a course in contemporary French literature, a study of the work of the Ger- man writers Schiller or Goethe, Latin composition, or even nine- teenth century Spanish Drama. .u Prof. Guillaumam, Prof. Ade, Prof. Schenck, Prof. Miller. Mr, Stoll, Prof. Cole, Prof. Reinke, Prof. Moultoh, Mr. Elser. 27

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ENGLISH The biggest shock a freshman often has at college is freshman composition. The new student often comes thinking he knows all the grammar and sentence structure necessary for writing proficien- cy; but what a surprise occurs when the student artistically constructs his first theme, hands it in, and receives it again in several days, covered with a multitude of red correction marks! Thursday night is known to the freshman as Theme Night , and many of these freshman actually turn sophomores despite their struggles with the elementary course, and return the next fall to enroll in a course in English Literature. For other interested students and students intend- ing to major in the department, special- ized courses are offered such as short story writing, American literature, Vic- torian poets and poetry, the novel, and a study of Shakespeare. These courses are designed to help the student understand and enjoy the major works of English and American literature and to acquaint them with the materials and methods of the history of literature. During the past academic year this department felt the great loss caused by a fatal automobile accident. Bagoe and Bennett were killed on January 17, 1954. Standing: Prof. Risley, Prof. Czamanske, Prof. Umhach Prof. Tuttle, Prof. Friedrich. Seated: Prof. Essig. Mr. Collins, Mr. Bagoe, Mrr Huang, Mr. Bennett. Seated: Miss Anderson. 26

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The Department of Geography and Geology may be said to be unique from the standpoint that it includes both the helds of so- cial science and natural science. The courses offered in geography, yielding social science credit, explain the part environment plays in human adjustments, and are designed to fulfill teach- ing option requirements, to sup- ply to the student geographic perspective, and to prepare stu- dents for graduate and profes- sional work in geography. Geol- ogy, which is classed as a naturai science, deals with the structure and history of the earth, or the uses of minerals and rock re- sources. Valparaiso is a line place for a geology department for in the area there are four major physiographic units which give the student living examples of contrast in landscape character- istics. The department, headed by Professor Meyer, is now re- 1 o c a t e d in classrooms at Kroencke Hall. GOVERNMENT Despite its relatively small size the Department of Government is a very dynamic force on campus. Located in the Arts Annex Building, che one with innumerable doors , this depart- ment is host to many eminent government and political officials who are guest speakers. The International Relations Club, sponsored by this department, also features outside speakers. Students in this department are taught political science as it is generally subdivided into three main fields: the rudiments and complexities of American Government, the unbounded realms of political theory, and the art of international relations. This spring was the first time that Valparaiso University participated in the Wash- ington Semester Program. Three of the gradu- ating government majors, together with other graduating government majors from all over the country, spent a semester in Washington, D.C.; they observed the federal government in action and took guided tours through many of the governmental agencies. Prof. Sztankay, Prof. Hoffmann, Prof. Wehling tseatetbi 28