William Chrisman High School - Gleam Yearbook (Independence, MO)

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Page 20 r l l Mlnu Barnes The Gleam SOCIAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Social Science is one of the most important departments in High School. Therefore we should unearth the meaning of Social Science in order to become better acquainted with its purposes. Behind all our present-day tendencies and every other thing that is happening around us today is this great field of History. Miss Icile Barnes, Miss Mary Alice Gibbons, Miss Mary Lucas, Miss Nora D. Ames, Miss Louise MacDonald, Miss Eunice Moore, and Mr. Iohn Blackmore are the history instructors. Miss Ames says that the study of history, aside from the mere pleasure of knowing what has happened in the world, has a very definite purpose: to help us under- stand thc present, its movements for good or for bad. For only as we are able to estimate the present correctly, can we hope to make the near future a better time in which to live. To our history teachers we owe a great indebtedness for, in order to bring to us the story, they have studied very hard and most of them have traveled extensively. For their tireless struggle to present dead and ancient mat- ters in an interesting manner and for their assistance and guidance in a very important subject we give them a vote of gratitude. First we come in contact with Ancient and Medieval His- tory. For a lor of our Ancient History we are indebted to the tombs of kings, and articles found in the caves in which the people lived. In Ancient and Medieval History we study Mr. Bluekluoru ' ' Ellis l ,ffl gf about all the ancient kingdoms that would rise, and then with the trend of civilization always pushing them, they would fall. By studying the rise and fall of the ancient king- doms we become acquainted with the same things that affect our present-day civilizations. Ancient History, to me, was a very interesting story. The next great step in History is to Modern and Medieval History. In Modern History, we study its four great step- ping-stones that lead to the present: the Renaissance, which ushered in the Modern Age, the Age of Autocracyg the Great Revolutions which destroyed for the most part Autocracy and led to Democracy, and the Age of Democracy which ex- ists today. 1933

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The Gleam Page 19 ture, even greater than those in human nature, no honest seeker must go away unsatisfiedg so, more genuine pleasure is obtained from the study of literature than from any other study. By means of the printed page one may travel every- where, converse with every type of person, and even journey into the past to make the acquaintance of the great men of all times. Because of the great importance of a thorough knowledge of English, all Chrisman students are required to include in their course three years of English. A fourth year is offered for those suliiciently interested to continue the study. The course offered to Sophomores includes a study of both Mis, mme, 1 grammar and literature. A discussion of poetic and prose selections from English and American authors composes this course. Classes in Sophomore English are very capably in- structed by Miss Nora Ames, Miss Mabel Potter, Miss Irene Layton, and Miss Harriet Northern. Iunior English classes study grammar for six weeks. The rest of the term is devoted to reading the works of American authors of both prose and poetry from Colonial days to the present time. This work is supplemented by a designated amount of reading each month from the best current maga- zines, which acquaints the students with the accomplish- imas Mnqllonglld ments of outstanding contemporary writers. Mr. Blevins Davis, Miss Louise MacDonald, Miss Harriet Northern, and 1 ' Miss Irene Layton are the efficient instructors of Iunior English. The course in Senior English is the history of English lit- erature from the earliest known manuscripts whose authors are not known to contemporary British authors. Macbeth and Hamlet were read, as were the best and more familiar works of Shelley, Wordsworth, Byron, and Keats. A six weeks' review of grammar is also included in this course. Miss Harriet Northern and Mr. Blevins Davis instruct these classes. Min Ames 1 9 3 3

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The Gleam Page Z1 Last, but not least, is the study of American History. In j American History we see how that, from the time the first colonists came to America, we have progressed up to 1933. The colonists taught us one great lesson when Patrick Henry said, United we stand, divided we fallf' All through civili- zation we find that cooperation makes the nation. Great in- ventions have helped to make us one of the powers of the world, and they have also caused civil strife such as the Civil War, which was caused indirectly by the invention of the cotton gin. American History is one of the fastest moving and interesting of them all. We are trying especially to find what movements have produced the conditions in the world today, to judge of what is good, and to learn how we as citizens can help to make a better world in which to live. Miss Gibbons As we come to the present day we find a very important Social Science to be Sociology. Sociology is the Science of origin, development, structure of social groups. This year it has been taught by two of our well known members of the faculty: Miss Eunice Moore and Miss Gibbons. In their classes their main objective was to make us understand our respon- sibility as members of Society. Sociology is also a subject which introduces us to subjects that lead to thought, and if we have to think a little it will develop us in many ways as pertaining to our mental capacities. Another very important social science is Civics. Miss Eunice Moore is the instructor of this subject, which is very vital in helping us to do our share in carrying on as law- abiding citizens, and performing our duties so that they will be more beneficial to the coun- try. For one great thing that we, as citizens of the United States, possess is the right to vote. If vue do not respect this right it should be denied us. Civics is a subject that will explain to us all the angles of this power to vote. A very good discussion question that arises is: Is it right to take away from a citizen of the United l . . . . 1 States the right to vote? The answer to this question 1S that if illiterate citizens and citizens of abnormal minds do not understand the things concerning elections they will easily be bribed or will vote in a way which might not bene- fit either themselves or their community. Miss Eunice Moore also teaches Economics, which is very important to us because it is a science that investigates the production, distribution, and other things concerning wealth. Economics explains to us the control of corporations and monopolies and is something we should all take part in be- cause when we get out into the world and are depending on ourselves we will certainly need to know how to handle our T money, although it may be but a very small amount. Mlu E. Moore 1933