Yeshiva University High School For Boys - Elchanite Yearbook (New York, NY)

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DR. SHAPIRO MR. BREINAN MR. KOENIGSBERG 'KX .1 ,l t V 4 Histor ' te? This age, more than any other, calls for a more thorough under- standing on the part of all thinking individuals of the history of their own country, the history and problems of other lands, and an appreciation of the heritage that one hundred and fifty generations of Man have be- queathed us. The social studies courses at T.A. give one a more than perfunctory glimpse of the many key concepts of the humanities and social sciences. Throughout the school, students are encouraged to think out the reasons behind the fact in the text book, and to understand the implications of various concepts on the present world situation. In the various courses, students are encouraged to do supplementary research on various aspects of the courses, thus becoming acquainted with standard reference and research works as well as research techniques. ln the last two years of high school, at least one paper per term sum- marizing and, if possible, evaluating books on- material included in the term's work, or on problems of current importance is required. The economic geography-civics course given during the freshmen year is aimed at inculcating an elementary understanding of the various systems of government in the world, and of the concepts of geopolitics. After studying world history, the student begins to realize that the present world with its moral, political, and economic problems is really the culmination of the efforts of more than 4000 years of mankind. The American History course given at T.A. is perhaps the most dif- ficult of all its social studies courses-and also the most interesting and most rewarding. Emphasis is placed on the development of political freedom in the U. S., the theory and function of the American government, and on economic changes in the United States. The members of our history department have a gift for illuminating the printed text with the supplementary data and ideas so necessary for a real understanding of history, government, economics, and geography. World History with a running, tongue-inlcheek fwe hopell commentary, is taught by Dr. Benjamin Shapiro. American History and Economic Geography are taught ably by Mr. Harry Wollman and Mr. Alexander Breincln. MR. WOLLMAN 1 l L 1' M r . . J X is 'NT A A 1 . ' V-1 'J W ', , a 321 Q sl 1 is s L

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LTY athematics If your mind be wandering, study mathematics, was Francis Bacon's advice to a friend. And good advice it was, for few subiects encourage, teach-even demand-the art of clear thinking more than mathematics. It is the objective of mathematics courses at T.A. to develop to the fullest extent in the student the ability to think clearly and to reason quantitatively. Throughout these courses, students are encouraged to toy with mathematical abstractions, to see beauty in the symmetry and rightness of a theorem, and to feel a sense of satisfaction in understanding-or perhaps even creating -a mathematical idea. In all the courses, emphasis is placed, as well, on utilization of mathematical ideas in solving everyday probems, and in the more advanced courses, on a few of the applications of mathematics to physics and engineering problems. Starting with algebra, the student at T.A. progresses in the dis- coveries of Euclid, through the pons asinorem, through trigonometry and even, if he wishes, through a first year calculus course. We have heard lately about the dearth of competent mathematics teachers in high schools. At T.A., we have no such problem: each of our mathematics teachers has seen the white hot light of truth in mathematics and has conveyed his enthusiasm for the subiect to his students. Mr. Lichten- berg, with his non-Euclidian handkerchief and his exclamatory it's beauti- ful, isn't it, for his calculus class, Mr. Greitzer, with his unswerving land unnerving, eye for easy ways to do cute problems, Mr. Berger, in his geometry classes, and Mr. Cohen in his trig classes. The Mathematics de- partment at T.A., with its intellectually stimulating men who can teach, and its intelligent course of study, has made our preliminary study of the Queen of the Sciences something more than a High School Math Course. MR. LICHTENBERG MR. BERGER new-. MR. COHEN MR. GREITZER A .

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T Science T The science department of T.A. endeavors to convey to the student an understanding of the basic principles of the sciences, acquaint him with the methods of scientfic investigation, show him how scientific principles are used in every day devices and encourage a further interest in the sciences on his part. General Science, a course required for graduation at T.A., develops in the student an understanding of scientific principles and their applica- tions, it also provides a basis for all other scientific courses given at T.A. Taught by Mr. Maurice Schain for many years, the course was revised two years ago to place added emphasis on developments in electronics' and nucleomics. Biology T-2 introduces the student to the basic unit of life: the cell, its structures and processes. It then develops the student's understanding of plant structure and functions of the various systems. Comparative an- atomy, embryology, evolution, and kindred topics are also touched upon. Biology l-2 is taught by Mr. Edward Frankel, as fine a person as he is a teacher. Many of the improvements in everyday life can be attributed to the results of chemical research. The chemistry l-2 course at T.A. deals with atomic and molecular structure, chemical formulae, chemical reations, ioni- zation, equilibrium, and the properties and uses of the more common ele- ments. Chemistry is taught by Dr. George J. Harwell, whose scope of knowledge in chemistry land in many other unrelated fields, as welll is well-nigh amazing. During their senior year at T.A., many students enjoy taking physics T-2. The syllabus includes elementary mechanics, heat, light, electronics and nucleonics: their theory and application. For the first time, the student begins to see how abstract mathematics is utilized in the sciences. Taught by Dr. Samuel Greitzer, the course is notable for a lucidity and completeness of explanation, not usually found in high school physics courses, and for tthe many supplementary side-lights provided by Mr. Greitzer. One more word need be added about the scientific courses at T.A. None are taught with the sole aim of permitting the students to pass high on the terminal Regents examinations. Instead, their primary goal is to provide a substantial basis for future work in the sciences. And, to one not planning further academic work in the sciences, they provide a more than superficial understanding of the fields that are responsible for most of the new features of the present world. . 5 1' tif llci t i'tff ii'i' zz MR. GREITZER l DR. HARWELL -FK . 'CY MR. FRANKEL 'vnnwi' All MR. sci-iAiN