THE MICHIGAN DAILY CHANDLES INTERNAL PROBLEMS: Prof. ru ac er Ives eec , 1 211 S. State 3o IFC Termed Legisi By ANITA FELDMAN "We're deadlocked, stuck right in the center and unable to move either way," John Brubacher, University professor of higher education noted yesterday. Speaking at the 29th Annual Conference on Teacher Educa- tion on "Changing Concepts in Teaching Methods," the former Yale University professor ap- proached the problem philosophi- cally._ "Different concepts in teaching method have come and gone and over the years, have changed and reverted backwards again," he said. The early part of the cen- tury, for instance, exhibited a definite , pragmatic method of teaching, whereas in the '20's and '30's, education had its heyday. Teaching methods were flexible and in a constant state of motion. "Most important, progressive edu- cation came into the fore, and the conservatives were forced to take the defensive." he noted. "Today, however, progressive DIAL NO 2-2513 ENDS TODAY UNIVERSALINTERftATiONAL presents LANA TURNERf JOHN GAVIN CO-STARRING SANDRA BEE DAN O'HERLIHY SUSAN KOHNE ROBERT ALDA.} WITH JUANITA MOORE MAHALIA JACKSON Singing "Trouble of the Wrd NEREARL GRANT sfiieif fLc "T he film unfolds with superb power!" Fannie Hurst *SATURDAY The Eagerly Awaited "COMPULSION" education is on the defense," Prof. Brubacher said. "It holds one end of the rope, and the conservatives hold the other; neither 'contest- ant' is willing to 'let loose'." The problem is, "What are we going to do? How are we going to break out of this deadlock?" There are two movements which began during World War II, which may very well have an im- pact on the solution, he explained. Gives Possible Solutions The first lies in the field of logic, and is called by various names, semantics or analytic phil- osophy, for instance. The second solution may be in what "many college students talk about with- out really knowing what they are saying: existentialism." Discussing the 'logical' view- point, Prof. Brubacher noted that in the recent past, educational teaching methods were based more on a psychological "behav- iorism" pattern. "Trial and error was the watchword to success," he 'said. But lately, the importance of language in learning has received a greater emphasis, and semantics is holding its own, "Many edu- cators feel that by asking a stu- dent to define precisely, or to veri- fy exactly, just what he meant by a statement, his ability to think logically will be much enriched as well as his word power," he ex- plained. Theory Doubtful However, the ability of this theory to work effectively is doubtful, he added. The reason is that "Teachers themselves do not have a precise enough under- standing of logic and logical forms to be able to train the students correctly." For that reason, he feels that teachers would greatly benefit by having a course in logic them- selves. "In this way, they could use and apply the logical forms with accurate knowledge of their meanings." Illustrates Point To illustrate his point, Prof. Brubacher called to attention a statement made by Mortimer Ad- ler: "The aims of education are the same for all men everywhere and always.'' Then he asked: "Was Mr. Adler' stating a fact here, and if so, does he have evidence to prove it's a fact; or is this just something he personally, believes? Or is he try- ing to persuade us to his point of view? Or finally, is he speaking prescriptively, telling us that this is the way things ought to be?" The answer is: we don't know. "Thus, the supporters of the 'logic' teaching method believe that we need some knowledge of linguistic analysis in order to un- derstand the exact meaning of Mr. Adler's statement." Existentialist View The other point of view is that of the existentialists. They place great emphasis on the importance of the individual as opposed to I the entire society, he said. They hold that "the uniqueness of each individual must be brought out" so that he does not get caught in the swarming crowd of "that hu- manity- which is common to us all." If house funds were used for a aren't going to get it, then per- drinking party or a social tax was haps they might lose their apathy levied on the members in the for the academic." house, Joint Judic will try the en- "Also, they contend we must do tire fraternity. The Council also away with the classroom tenden- considers whether a notice of such cy to make rational abstractions, a party was placed in the house and instead, insist upon the mak- or whether it was discussed at a ing of definite stands," he added. chapter meeting. "An individual must not be Consider Another Factor shielded from the consequences ....JL.a a t PROF. BRUBACHER ... speaks at 'U' of his own individual actions, they say. He should be made to choose, made responsible for his actions, and then he'll 'come out' all the better, the professor explained. Alleviate Deadlock And then, Prof. Brubacher asked, "Can either of these two views alleviate the educational deadlock?" His answer was "probably not." "Both views are too limited," he said. Neither is inclusive enough to get us off the deadlock. Remain Deadlocked "They may sharpen our tools," he said, "but that is- all." The professor concluded that we probably would remain dead- locked until a relaxation in the cold War occurred. "A cold war causes tensions and tightening in all fields," he said, "and we, in education, will have to wait until the ice thaws a bit before we can go back to the more virile educational movements of the '20's and '30's. V The Israeli-American Students Club and the I.S.A. Welcome Everybody to a Celebration of INDEPENDENCE DAY featuring THE KINNERET DANCERS in Folk Dancing and Singing RACKHAM AMPHITHEATRE SATURDAY, MAY 9 8 P.M. Dramatic Reading -Film - Exhibitions- Refreshments Include the Soviet Union In Your Trip Abroad ECONOMY TRIPS $10 per OUR SPECIALTY from day BLACK SEA VACATIONS: Yalta $7.50 per day Sochi $10.00 per day ALL DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN j TRAVEL ARRANGED 'a Write for folder M 1776 Broadway, CI 7-1774 i I F i The existentialists contend that a person knows that he lives in a world not of his own making, and thus, not knowing the nature of reality, is thrown back and forced to cling onto his owvn seemingly limited resources for survival. They believe that such an indi- vidual experiences "anxiety, dread, loneliness, and despair," he con- tinued. .Crisis Philosophy' "Existentialism, therefore i's a crisis philosophy' for a time of crisis - the cold war," he said. The emphasis must be placed on the individual himself. In applying an existentialist's point of view to education itself, Prof. Brubacher went on to ex- plain, they believe that we could create in children an 'anxiety for education' by making them think' Sthat they need it and somehow 11 CITOILAL UNION SERIES TEN CONCERTS GLENN GOULD ........ .. .Mon., Oct. 12 Extraordinary pianist from Canada, after his 1958 May Festival triumph, returns for a recital. BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA .......,....Sat., Oct. 24 CHARLES MUNCH, Music Director IRMGARD SEEFRIED ... . Thurs., Oct. 29 Austria's foremost lieder soprano and star of Vienna State Opera. RICHARD TUCKER . .......Fri., Nov. 6 Metropolitan Opera tenor-number one in his field today, returns for his second recital here. PAMPLONA CHOIR from Spain . .. (2:30) Sun., Nov. 15 Luis MORONDO directs this mixed chorus of a cappella voices, in their second American tour. JAN SMETERLIN ... ... . Tues., Nov. 24 Distinguished Polish pianist in his Ann Arbor debut. MINNEAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ..........Mon., Feb. 8 ANTAL DORATI, Music Director BACH ARIA GROUP . .. .. Tues., Feb. 16 Nine world-famous artists under direction of WILLIAM H. SCHEME include JULIUS BAKER, ROBERT BLOOM, EILEEN FARRELL, NORMAN FARROW, BERNARCD GREENHOUSE, JAN PEERCE, CAROL SMITH, PAUL ULANOWSKY, MAURICE WILK. DRAASEASO Tickets for Individual Performances Evenings (Monday thru Thursday) $3.25, $2.75, $2.25 (Friday & Saturday) $3.75, $3.25, $2.75 Matinees (Thursday & Saturday) $2.50, $2.00 11