WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1967 Pioneer Program Opens Pennsylvania school officials have begun field j testing an experimental new course in religious literature, de signed to provide an “adventure in learning”—NOT. to put worship back into the classroom. , j “Our ‘intent -is to present the classical writings of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as a rich experience in reading and literature,” says John R. Whitney, instructor in religious studies at the University. Acting in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Depart ment of Public Instruction, Whitney and his department directed a team of experts, in developing and organizing the experimental program and training the teachers to teach it, ■ Currently the experimental curriculum involves the literature of Western religions. The program was inaugurated this month in 31 Penn sylvania school districts as an aftermath of a mandate by the Pennsylvania Legislature in 1965 following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling outlawing mandatory religious wor ship or exercises in public schools. _ No Legal Conflict “I can see no legal possibility of conflict between the presentation of this course and the ruling of the Supreme Court," Whitney states. “The law prohibits the presenta tion of God concepts as a liturgical or devotional require ment in the schools. But this does not mean students should not be able to learn a great deal about religion or the literature of religion within the curriculum of a school." , ~ Whitney, who is overall director of the project, also emphasizes that the c course will always be “elective all the way down the line.” “The course, once offered to the school districts, may or rnay not, according to their own election, be in cluded in their curriculum,” he explains, “And if a local school district does elect to ’ offer the course to its stu dents, the students still have the final choice.” Meanwhile,_ Whitney, an ordained minister himself, Is the first to point out that the experimental course, tested initially last year in the State College school sys tem, is NOT designed to indoctrinate or to evaluate re ligions. " ; “The total emphasis is on the writings as literature of religion, and our hope is that it will be an experience Senate Acts Against Air Pollution By CARL P. LEUBSDORF Associated Press Writer WASHINGTIN (AP) Senate-passed legislation to expand the federal govern ment's authority to act against air pol lution, especially in emergency situa tions, won bipartisan approval yesterday from the House Commerce Committee. With only one dissent—and that re portedly on procedural rather than sub stantive grounds—the committee sent on for action by the House, expected in about two weeks, the three-year, $428.3-million measure. Most of the provisions are similar to the Senate measure, but the House group cut out additional research funds added by the Senate Public Works Committee which would have swelled the three-year cost of the measure to $7OO million. Extra Funds The authorizations in the House bill, which follow administration recommen dations, include an extra $33 million on NIGHT OWLS and Eagle Eyes: Put Your Talents To Good Use! Become A Proofreader For THE DAILY COLLEGIAN Call Mrs. Clemson, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 865-2531 j Attention! Daily Collegian Credit Staff i There will be an organizational meeting Thursday evening September 28 7:00 p.m. Collegian Office ATTENTION STUDENTS Effective Friday, September 29th Greyhound is scheduling a special thru bus - to Harrisburg,. Philadelphia and New York leaving State .College at 3:00 p.m. and re turning from Philadelphia Sunday only at 6:15 p.m. ~ Also, a special thru bus to Pittsburgh on Friday only at 2:00 p.m. For Information Call 237-4181 eliqious Literature in High Schools Not Indoctrination top of' $66 million already authorized for this year, $145 million for fiscal 1969 and $184.3 million for fiscal 1970. Like the Senate measure, the bill re jects President Johnson’s proposal for national emission standards of pollutants but authorizes a two-day study of the health benefits, econom'- impact and costs of such regulations. Both bills would authorize the secre tary of welfare to go to court immediately if he finds that a particular source of pollution presents an “imminent and sub stantial endangerment to the health of persons." Federal courts would be em powered to enjoin the alleged pollution by stopping emission of contaminants or by whatever other action is necessary. j Quality Regions The bill adopts Senate provisions to authorize setting up of air quality regions to control pollution but requires this to be done within 18 months of enact ment of the legislation. for students in reading, as it were, the life, the thoughts, the convictions, the human experience of the people who produced the literature. The whole process of the course . is to present the material and allow the individual to take -‘whatever personal inferences he may take." As for the possibility, of teacher bias, affecting the presentation of the - course, Whitney admits teachers can "from time to time betray their own particular point of view." Cv “But,” he adds-, quickly, citing a recent four-week institute conducted' this summer for 31 secondary school English teachers from the districts involved in the experi ment, “our' experience demonstrates very conclusively to us that in the long run they can and do present the ma terial as a study in literature rather than one in formal religion.” Response from the State College experiment backs him up. It was free from opposition or .antagonism, and parents on the whole seemed pleased that their children were receiving the opportunity to study the literature ,of religions. “Certainly,” Wihtney says, “as you present a course of this type, you’re going to be dealing with some soft of conflict. We have to assume many students will take back reports to their families about the makeup of the course and what they are learning." “We’re quite sure many families will have either a •favorable or unfavorable reaction based on what their children tell them. But we must remember at all times, the course is elective. If a student finds the content of the course intolerable, he can drop it. If he finds it en joyable and interesting, he can continue ” Appraisal Next The content of the' student manual and teachers’ guide for the new course has been drafted. The experiment is underway. The job now for Whitney and his team of re searchers is to carefully and systematically observe and gather data on how the teachers handle the material, and how successful the course is. “We will look at what seems to appeal to the stu dents and at what doesn’t seem to appeal to them,” Whit ney reports. “We will determine what parts of the course are more meaningful; and as a result of our study, we will put together a revised program to offer to schools throughout Pennsylvania for the 1968-69 school year." The following Student Affairs Divisions are now permanently located in Grange Building (Corner of Shorfledge and Pollock Roads): University Placement Service Student Affairs Research Office of Student Aid Division of Counseling One pius one = campus pzazz Knit for your individual tastes with Orion* THE DAILY COLLEGIAN, UNIVERSITY PARK, • PENNSYLVANIA Parents Pleased If states fail within an additional 15- month period to set air quality standards, the secretary would be authorized to set them. The measure also would authorize the secretary to go to court after 180 days notice to enforce restrictions in the event of any violation of standards in any designated air control region. Pollution From Jets The committee voted to authorize a study of pollution from jet emissions, along with earlier provisions to study the effects of various kinds of fuel addi tives. It also adopted an amendment by Rep. John D. Dingell, (D-Mich.). sought by the automobile industry, which would require all states to conform to federal motor vehicle emission standards unless the secretary permits them to establish higher standards. The Senate measure would exempt California from the federal standards, provided it maintain stricter standards. DAVID B. COUftSIN Robbins To Continue Africa Study Michael.C. Robbins, assistant professor of anthropology, will continue a cultural ecology survey of the Doirobo of central Kenya, Africa, during his leave of absence from the which has been extended to Dec. SI. and Save Clipqnd Save Clip and Sava Clip and Sava Clip and Save Clip and SAW * Fullington city/campus service u> 1 8 ft. Line—Rl, #| Line—Rt. #2 5 ■8 Stops will bo n?«f® at ovary Intersection tx-epf on Athorton St., College ft Beaver ftve. The following ora approximate tIMS check joints so you won't miss your ride* ROUTE #1 Westerly Parkway vie Beaver ft Sparks Univ«rtlty Stepplnt Ctnltr €»H«n Allan 7:00 7:30 8:00 * v 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 ,11:30 12:00 12:30 1:00 1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:30 Wavpilinl Drtva 7:05 7:35 8:05 8:35 ‘9:05 9:35 10:05 10:35 11:05 . 11:35 12:05 12:35 1:05 1:35 2:05 2:35 3:05 3:35 4:05 4:35 ' 5:05 5:35 I & ■8 C 8 ft. | EVENING SCHEDULE....6:OO !■? 6:00 7:00 8:00 8:00 Fullington Auto Bus Co. Clip Mud SmVO Clip whu Cup mum Clip utku t<ini Cup *>■•« «««<• clip Cum *m«# College Adds Pediatrician Dr. David Baird Coursin, director of research at the Research Institute, St. Joseph Hospital, Lancaster, nationally-known pedia trician and nutritionist, has been appointed adjunct professor of pediatrics and nutrition in the College of Human Development at the University. -His many professional activities include research related to the effects of nutrition on mental development and behavior,, a subject of particular interest to the College of Human Development, said Donald H. Ford, dean of the College. Dr. Coursin also is presently serving as consultant for several international studies in this area. His current research concern's vitamin B 6 metabolism: disorders of the central nervous - system and communication, and congenital anomalies. He also is direc tor of research for the-Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic, a pioneering'interdisciplinary ven ture in treating the speech defects and adjustment problems as well as the [physi cal disability of children with this handicap. Dr. Coursin has authored or co-authored many articles which describe results of his research. He is a member of the Editorial Board of Clinical Pediatrics and since 1963 has been co-editor of The Pediatric Patient, published annually by J. B. Lippincott Com- • Said Ford: “We expect that. Dr. Coursin, pany, Philadelphia. as adjunct professor, will participate in pro- A graduate of Haverford College, Dr. gram planning for the new college duping Coursin received the doctor of medicine de- the coming year, conduct occasional semi gree from the University of Pennsylvania nars for graduate students, serve on grad- School of Medicine. He has held residencies uate committees, and when his[ busy ached* at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital' and ule permits, involve graduate; students in Research Foundation, and. the Philadelphia his research activities.” Buses leaving; every '/a hour. Maximum IS minute service between any 2 points on routes. 7:00 am. - 6:00 p.m; 6:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m. -1 hour service only 15 e Bus Fare Foster Avi ■Falrmoul W. Hamilton Vnlverplsy Shopping r iup«lan! Drli 6:05 7:05 8:05 9:05 6:15 7:15 8:15 9:15 For Further Information 238*490 i ; Effective Now in State College area "N.I 1 ».t. CfllW. Beaver Are. S r §♦} (A ROUTE #2 BARKER STREET VIA IfUGH I HOMAN 8:25 7:25 8:25 9:25 6:30 7:30 8:30 9:30 Children’s Hospital. He also served with the U.S. Army for six years, leaving tha service in 1948 as captain in the Medical Corps. ! . Dr. Coursin is consultant ,for several national and international agencies includ ing the, Office of International .Research of the National Institutes of - Health.' He is lecturer for the Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medi cine end for the Massachusetts!lnstitute of Technology, Department of Nutrition. Among his other assignmekts, he is a member of the Committee on Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Subcommittee on Maternal 'Nutrition of the National Research Council, Food and Nutrition Board. His many professional af filiations include the American Board, pf Pediatrics, American; Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Clinical Nutrition.,As sociation for Research in Nervous and Men tal. Disease and Society for Research ip Child Development. In announcing the appointment, Dean Ford expressed his satisfaction:in obtaining for the new college the contributions of a man "with! such rich and varied experience in health and human development areas,” College Are. Foster Ave. —Falrmounl Hamilton Parkway Nlmlts I ® n r Homan At*. to 10:00 p.m. 8:35 7:35 8:35 9:35 i PAGE FIVE Park Avi East 1 Halls « < l I * w a • POLLOCK HALLS Hflfl ■ 7:25 : 7:55 ! 8:25 8:85 p.m, 8:45 7:45 8:45 9:45 6:55 7:|5 m 9:51
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers