Task Force integrates curriculum
Title
Task Force integrates curriculum
Subject
Desegregation, College Task Force on Black Culture
Description
A Task Force Committee on Black Culture begins working to integrate black culture into West Chester's curriculum.
Creator
Nancy J. Holt
Source
Quad Angles Vol. 39 No. 18
Publisher
West Chester University Quad
Date
March 2 1971
Contributor
Angela Grabosky
Rights
Digital images in Library Services' Digital Collections are issued by Special Collections, Francis Harvey Green Library, West Chester University. Images are provided for non-commercial, educational, and personal use only, and are not intended for reproduction or redistribution. For the above purposes the user may reproduce these materials (by download, printing, etc.) without further permission, on the condition that proper attribution of the source for all copies is provided by clearly acknowledging the name of the Library, the title of the web page or resource and the URL at which it was located, please credit as follows: Special Collections, Francis Harvey Green Library, West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania. For questions regarding use of digital materials contact Special Collections (libspeccol@wcupa.edu or 610-436-3456). Special Collections assumes no responsibility for direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental infringement of copyright by content users.
Identifier
https://digital.klnpa.org/digital/collection/wcnp01/id/14117
https://digital.klnpa.org/digital/collection/wcnp01/id/14119
https://digital.klnpa.org/digital/collection/wcnp01/id/14119
Format
JPG Newspaper Scan
Language
English
Type
Student Newspaper
Text
Task Force integrates curriculum
By NANCY J. HOLT
Social events and course studies more relevant to the black college community which should hopefully better the relations between blacks and whites are in the making for the next academic year. Dr. Jody Harris, Director of Curriculum Enrichment, said that he hopes to reach part of his goal of establishing integrated studies by September of 1971. Dr. Harris explained that members of the college community have been striving toward an integrated curriculum since April, 1969 before he assumed his position here. Dr. Harris came to West Chester in September 1970. Two Points Pursued A Task Force Committee on Black Culture was established in April, 1969 as a result of a conference with President Sykes.Two of the four points being pursued by this Task Force are an integration of black culture into course studies and also the improvement of relations with neighboring black institutions.The main body of the Task Force Committee is comprised of approximately twelve members. It is broken down into six sub-divisions representing the six schools of the college. Members of each subdvision then discuss different ideas and approaches to integrated studies within their schools. Schools Report Progress At the last meeting of the Task Force Committee on February 18, representatives from the different schools reported on the progress they are making. John W. Clokey, Dean of the School of Arts and Letters, reported that his school is in the process of: 1) compiling a bibliography of holdings in black literature; 2) continuing their study of curricular holdings; 3) designing a course on the Arts of Africa (proposed by Dr. Robert Schick, School of Music, and still in the discussing stage; 4) negotiations are in progress for obtaining speakers during the College Centennial year celebration. Having Hard Time Dr. Edwin L. Youmans, Dean of the School of Health and Physical Education, reported that the School is having a difficult time integrating courses which relate to black culture, except in the areas of dance and history. He noted that the graduate seminar has quite a bit of black involvement with speakers from Cheyney and Lincoln University. The School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, represented Dr. Russell K. Rickert, is experiencing a two-prong problem in finding out how to include courses relating to black culture into the School's curriculum and how to prepare students who will be teaching in the . urban schools. The other schools did not report at this meeting. Same Problem Shared Herbert Lee, Assistant to the Director of Admissions, commented at the meeting that most institutions share the same type of problem as Westchester. He noted that most schools do have some programs which are geared to attract minority group students. However, those schools which do not currently have programs are in the process of working on programs for this purpose. When asked if he thinks white students will resent this course integration, Dr. Harris replied if "the courses are well-developed and well-structured, they will appeal to the needs of a student be he black or white and the student will find interest in taking the course." Integrate Requirements Dr. Harris stated he would like to see course integration in the existing general requirements. He continued that he would then like to see elective courses in black culture become a reality, like the now present Afro-American course in literature. Possibly two or three courses will be integrated by this September. Ken Burda, Director of the College Union Committee, stated that $500 has been allotted for a college forum program in the making for the next academic year. Speakers for the forum or rap sessions would possibly be members of minority groups. Burda suggested that it would be worthwhile if a member of the Black Panthers or Charles Melton, Director of the Community Center, 501 E. Miner St. could be scheduled for the forum. Black History Month Burda added that the entire month of April, 1972 will be devoted to Black History. During this month, there hopefully would be an arts festival, mini-concert, a demonstration of African music, and the presentation of the play, "No Place to Be Somebody." The Director of the College Union Committee stated that he is also trying to find out what types of social events at other colleges attract black students. In a conversation with the social director of Lincoln University, Burda said (Continued on page 3)
(Continued from page 1) he discovered that the "hot thing" at Lincoln now is jazz. Burda concluded, "We are trying to gear things toward the black student, but it must be emphasized that these things are just as important for white students as they are for the black."
By NANCY J. HOLT
Social events and course studies more relevant to the black college community which should hopefully better the relations between blacks and whites are in the making for the next academic year. Dr. Jody Harris, Director of Curriculum Enrichment, said that he hopes to reach part of his goal of establishing integrated studies by September of 1971. Dr. Harris explained that members of the college community have been striving toward an integrated curriculum since April, 1969 before he assumed his position here. Dr. Harris came to West Chester in September 1970. Two Points Pursued A Task Force Committee on Black Culture was established in April, 1969 as a result of a conference with President Sykes.Two of the four points being pursued by this Task Force are an integration of black culture into course studies and also the improvement of relations with neighboring black institutions.The main body of the Task Force Committee is comprised of approximately twelve members. It is broken down into six sub-divisions representing the six schools of the college. Members of each subdvision then discuss different ideas and approaches to integrated studies within their schools. Schools Report Progress At the last meeting of the Task Force Committee on February 18, representatives from the different schools reported on the progress they are making. John W. Clokey, Dean of the School of Arts and Letters, reported that his school is in the process of: 1) compiling a bibliography of holdings in black literature; 2) continuing their study of curricular holdings; 3) designing a course on the Arts of Africa (proposed by Dr. Robert Schick, School of Music, and still in the discussing stage; 4) negotiations are in progress for obtaining speakers during the College Centennial year celebration. Having Hard Time Dr. Edwin L. Youmans, Dean of the School of Health and Physical Education, reported that the School is having a difficult time integrating courses which relate to black culture, except in the areas of dance and history. He noted that the graduate seminar has quite a bit of black involvement with speakers from Cheyney and Lincoln University. The School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, represented Dr. Russell K. Rickert, is experiencing a two-prong problem in finding out how to include courses relating to black culture into the School's curriculum and how to prepare students who will be teaching in the . urban schools. The other schools did not report at this meeting. Same Problem Shared Herbert Lee, Assistant to the Director of Admissions, commented at the meeting that most institutions share the same type of problem as Westchester. He noted that most schools do have some programs which are geared to attract minority group students. However, those schools which do not currently have programs are in the process of working on programs for this purpose. When asked if he thinks white students will resent this course integration, Dr. Harris replied if "the courses are well-developed and well-structured, they will appeal to the needs of a student be he black or white and the student will find interest in taking the course." Integrate Requirements Dr. Harris stated he would like to see course integration in the existing general requirements. He continued that he would then like to see elective courses in black culture become a reality, like the now present Afro-American course in literature. Possibly two or three courses will be integrated by this September. Ken Burda, Director of the College Union Committee, stated that $500 has been allotted for a college forum program in the making for the next academic year. Speakers for the forum or rap sessions would possibly be members of minority groups. Burda suggested that it would be worthwhile if a member of the Black Panthers or Charles Melton, Director of the Community Center, 501 E. Miner St. could be scheduled for the forum. Black History Month Burda added that the entire month of April, 1972 will be devoted to Black History. During this month, there hopefully would be an arts festival, mini-concert, a demonstration of African music, and the presentation of the play, "No Place to Be Somebody." The Director of the College Union Committee stated that he is also trying to find out what types of social events at other colleges attract black students. In a conversation with the social director of Lincoln University, Burda said (Continued on page 3)
(Continued from page 1) he discovered that the "hot thing" at Lincoln now is jazz. Burda concluded, "We are trying to gear things toward the black student, but it must be emphasized that these things are just as important for white students as they are for the black."
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Microfilm
Files
Reference
Nancy J. Holt 1971, Task Force integrates curriculum, West Chester University Quad