Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Sept. 26, 1997, edition 1 / Page 14
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12 Editorial Board Adam Lucas Laura Parker Marjorie Hall Will Dodson Olivia Riordan Statement of Purpose The Forum exists to facilitate dialogue and expression on matters of importance to Guilford College and its mission. Toward this end, active community participation in these pages is vital. Editorial Policy Every effort will be made to print appropriate submissions of editorials, cartoons and letters to the editor. They must be signed, with the phone number of the author or artist included and turned in to the box outside the publications suite by 3:00 on Monday before that Friday's publication date. Editorials must be no longer than 400 words and letters to the editor must be no more than 250 words. The Guilfordian reserves the right to edit submissions for grammatical correctness and brevity. The Guilfordian "Since 1914, but never quite like this." Editor-in-chief Adam Lucas (286-1214) News editor Marjorie Hall (316-3171) Features editor Will Dodson (316-3727) World/weekend editor...olivia Riordan (316-3218) Editorials/Online editor..Laura Parker (316-3683) Sports editor Dan Gatti (316-3843) Photography editor Becca Lee (316-3449) Business manager Amy Broach (286-1214) Advertising manager David Jackson (316-3972) Faculty advisor Jeff Jeske (316-2216) Staff writers: Catie Braly, Laurah Norton, Betsy Blake, Paige Mcßae, Greg Rinaldi, Alainna Brooks, Jesse Laplante, Allison Strizak, Morgan Reffell, Andy Ligouri, Fred Williams, Amanda Becom, Maggie Blair, Jonathan Carter, John Clinton, Kelton Cofer, John Gilchrist, Tim Leadem, Kim O'Connor, Adam Palmer, Candice Rosenfeld, Kelly White, Ellen Yutzy, lan Watlington, Matthew Zuehlke, Christopher Moore Staff meetings are Mondays at 7:30 pm in the Pas sion Pit. All are welcome. How to reach us: By mail: 5800 W. Friendly Avenue, 17717 Founders Hall, Greensboro, NC 27410 By phone: (910)316-2306 By fax: (910)316-2950 By e-mail: Guilfordian@rascal.guilford.edu On the Internet: www.guilford.edu/Guilfordian English isn't the only language STAFF EDITORIAL The Curriculum Task Force has already released a progress report that outlines some of their recommendations. The Guilfordian would like to respond to some of these proposals. The Curriculum Task Force is considering eliminating the for eign language requirement. We know this idea will be popular with many Guilford students, but we don't think it is a very good idea. We believe that part of a well rounded education is learning an other language. Americans are mocked in other parts of the world for many reasons, but one of the major ones is that Americans as a whole are happy to be ignorant of other cultures and languages. Most people at Guilford are going to leave this country one of these days. Knowing another lan guage is a practical and useful tool. Even for the few of us who plan to never leave the country, Forum knowledge of another language can be useful. It has been proven to improve people's proficiency in their native language. Besides that, there are many, many people in America who speak other lan guages. We are not the only country in the world, and English isn't the only language. Americans like to believe that we are so dominant in the world that everyone else can learn to speak our language, and see no need to go to the effort to learn theirs. That egocentric atti tude could hurt us someday. As a Quaker school, we think Guilford should encourage its stu dents to broaden their horizons and learn how to speak another language. We don't think some one can truly be an educated per son if they have never encountered another language. The Curriculum Task Force has suggested replacing the lan guage requirement with a "culture course." If designed well, a "cul ture course" might not be that bad, Don't knock it until you have tried it "Get out of that class as soon as you can. She's difficult, no one has ever gotten an 'A' from her." That was the comment I heard about Sandra Winters, my English 151 professor at Guilford College. To me the thought of writing papers and essays was scary enough. Then I heard how tough the professor was going to be, and I was ready to transfer. The first day of class I was in timidated by Winters. She asked us to write about anything for the first thirty minutes of class. The remainder of the class, she cri tiqued what we had written. Not a good way to start the year. Unfortunately I could not get out of her class. This became a blessing in disguise As the semester continued, not only did I receive a pleasing grade, but I enjoyed the class. Most of all I enjoyed the profes sor. That first day of class she was BY ALAINNA BROOKS Staff Writer The Guilfordian September 26,1997 but we doubt it will be as benefi cial as a real language course. What's the point of a "culture course?" Yes, it does teach an awareness of other cultures, but it seems much less useful than a lan guage course. Students complain that they will never use the lan guage skills they are forced to ac quire. Isn't a "culture course" worse? Awareness of another culture is good, but a language class teaches that awareness in addition to im parting skills that can be extremely useful. Students do complain about the language requirement. But everything that students complain about does not need to go. Col leges should require languages. If students do not want to be edu cated, they should not be in col lege. Keep the language require ment. And we're not just saying that because we already fulfilled it. just testing us. She brought us down so she could rebuild us into the writers she wanted. She fits the description I was given about Guilford professors before I came here. "Guilford pro fessors treat you as an individual, they know you on a first name basis and care about each stu dent." In the classroom she was criti cal, but outside she was a friend. She noticed when something was wrong and took time to give ad vice. For all of those people who misjudged Sandra Winters and tried to advise me, I now have a bit of my own advice. Thanks for the information, but no thanks. I am glad I had the opportunity to experience what Winters is actu ally like. Don't always judge someone by another person's opinion. Risk it. Form your own opinion, be your own person. You just might like what you find. I did.
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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Sept. 26, 1997, edition 1
14
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