1937-1938

Whitman

The Faculty John Ackley John William Ackley, A.M. Assistant Professor of English, A.B., University of Redlands; A.M., University of Southern California, Instructor, and Director of Forensics Edith Blackman Merrell Davis, A.B. (Mrs.) Assistant Professor English, A.B. Ripon College; started in the English department in 1924 (she taught Latin as an instructor prior to that). W. R. Davis, DSR Faculty Advisor

Team News

VIII. Whitman College in 1937-38

A. Walter Bratton was the acting college president.

B. John Ackley was the debate coach.

IX. Debate at Whitman

A. A very large group of debate students graduated in 1937, so a call went out in the fall of 1937 for new members. Seven seniors returned to the team: Marion Klobucher, Margaret Smith, Wear Clark, Eric Hagberg, Merv Butterfield, Ross Reid, and Jed King. (It helped that Wear Clark and Earl Fossum were on the Pioneer staff--publicity was easy!).

B. Women debated "Resolved: That the United States should never declare war without the approval of the majority of the people through popular referendum."

C. Men debated "Resolved: That the National Labor Relations Board should be empowered to enforce arbitration of all industrial disputes."

English Faculty Photo

Speech Courses within the English Department

ENGLISH 1 or 2. Orientation and Discussion, A writing and speaking course.

ENGLISH 15 or 16. Orientation and Discussion, A public speaking course with a diction emphasis.

ENGLISH 17 or 28. Interpretation of the Printed Page

.ENGLISH 45 or 46. Oral Interpretation.

ENGLISH 47. Argumentation and Debate.

ENGLISH 75 or 76. Advanced Public Speaking.

Speech Course Details

62 WHITMAN COLLEGE

Department of English

(See Major Studies, C, 2, page 58).

Courses in English offer: (1) Instruction and training in writing and speaking English as an arc and in the business of life; (2) experience, under guidance, in dramatic art and interpretative reading; (3) opportunity to gain some familiarity with and appreciation of English and American literature.

Courses I or 2, and 15 or 16, Orientation and Discussion, are required of all freshmen, except those who by reason of their proficiency in English are advised to substitute an elective course in writing for two hours of Course I or 2. Special training, carrying no college credit, is required of students who are deficient in English. Personal conference courses in writing are available in the junior and senior years. Students interested in journalism are referred to page 30, and to Course 81-82.

Attention is given to radio speaking in Course 75-76 and Course 77-78. Students participating in intercollegiate forensics receive training in Course 55 or 56 and Course 75-76. All plays are produced under the direct super- vision of the instructor in dramatics.

In the senior year, the English major presents a paper before majors and instructors of the department on a subject that he elects in the field of his independent reading in Course 93-94. Candidates for honors in English are given opportunity for individual reading and study in the junior and senior years in Course 93-94.

The following courses in literature are suggested for students who are not English majors: 25-26, 33-34, 39, 40, 63-64, 65, 66, 71, 72.

In 1937-1938 qualified students may secure credit toward the Master of Arts degree in the following courses: 57-58, 81-82, 87, 88, 89, 93-94, 98,105-106.

Courses in Writing

1 or 2. ORIENTATION AND DISCUSSION.—This course includes: (1) lectures and assigned reading on living in college, on the significance of college studies in the social sciences, in letters and arts, and in the basic sciences; (2) instruction and training in effective communication of thought through written discussion of topics related to the lectures and reading in which the class is interested. Papers are presented to the class and also receive individual conference criticism by the instructor. Required of all freshmen. Correlates with Course 15 or 16. Three hours, one semester. W. R. Davis, Jackson, Lovett, Ackley

64 WHITMAN COLLEGE

Courses in Speech and Dramatic Art

15 or 16. ORIENTATION AND DISCUSSION.—This course aims to train the student in effective communication of his thought on topics related to lectures and assigned reading (described in Course I or 2), and other topics in which the class has interest. Speeches are given before the class each week. Attention is given to voice defects and the formation of right vocal habits. Individual direction is given as required. Men and women are organized into separate groups of not more than sixteen members each. Required of all freshmen. Correlates with Course I or 2.

Three hours, one semester. E. B. M. Davis, Ackley

17 or 28. INTERPRETATION OF THE PRINTED PAGE.—Not open to students above the sophomore year. Minimum registration twelve; maximum regis- tration twenty-four. Two hours, one semester. E. B. M. Davis

45 or 46. ORAL INTERPRETATION.—This course aims to develop ability to read aloud and to gain through oral interpretation an appreciation of literature. Attendon is given to voice training. Open to sophomores.

Two hours, one semester. E. B. M. Davis

47. ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE.—A study of principles of argumenta- tive discourse and readings in current social, economic, and political questions. Constant speaking before the class is used to illustrate the application of the principles studied to the discussion of problems in the field of reading.

Three hours, first semester. Ackley

55 or 56. PUBLIC SPEAKING.—A study of the elements of effective pub- lic speaking with frequent practice in speaking before the class. Standards of vocal habits, of delivery, of diction, and of pronunciation are stressed. Minimum registration ten; maximum registration twenty.

Two hours, one semester. Ackley

57-58. (Unit) DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION AND PLAY PRODUCTION.— Instruction and practice in dramatic interpretation followed by experience with problems of play production through public performance of several plays. Consideration is given to scene design, stage lighting, costuming, and directing.

Two hours, first semester; three hours, second semester. E. B. M. Davis

75-76. ADVANCED PUBLIC SPEAKING.—This course includes training in radio speaking. Prerequisites: Courses 47, and 55 or 56. Open to qualified students with permission of the instructor.

One or two hours, first and second semesters. Ackley

77-78. ADVANCED PLAY PRODUCTION.—Prerequisite: Course 57-58. Open to qualified students with permission of the instructor.

One or two hours, first and second semesters. E. B. M. Davis

World News

China declares war on Japan

U.S. Housing Authority created by National Housing Act

Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicates Bonneville Dam on Columbia River (Oregon)

Hitler informs his military leader of his intentions of going to war

1st congressional session in air-conditioned chambers

Lincoln Tunnel, in New York City, opens to traffic

March of Dimes established to fight polio

Frances Moulton elected 1st woman president of a U.S. national bank

Hitler seizes control of German army and puts Nazi in key posts

German troops entered Austria

Britain and France recognize Franco government in Spain

Landslides and floods cause over 200 deaths in Los Angeles, California

President Cardena of Mexico nationalizes U.S. and British oil companies

Anti-Jewish riots break out in Dabrowa Poland

Concentration camp at Flossenburg goes into use

Intramural Debaters

Team News and Awards

A. Women’s Triangular Debates--Walla Walla, December 4

B. Men’s Triangular Debates--Pullman, December 11

1. The women placed second with a 4-4 record and WSU won. By the way, the affirmative won three times as often as the negative!

2. The men placed first with 7-1 record. Clark and Hagberg were 4-0 and Reid and Wilson were 3-1

C. Whitman also attended tournaments at Gonzaga, the University of Idaho, Linfield, College of Pacific, the Pacific Forensic League tournament in Reno.

D. At the Linfield tournament, the oldest tournament west of the Mississippi and the 2nd largest tournament in the nation (150 teams), Reid and King were undefeated, winning 10 debates. Baker Ferguson and Joe Wilson were finalists in debate. Reid also placed in Extemp and won third in After Dinner Speaking (his topic was “pop”).

E. At the PFL tournament in Reno, Reid placed 1st in Extemp, 1st in Debate with Joe Wilson, and 1st in After Dinner Speaking.

F. The independent men’s team of John Snoddy and Ross Kit won 4 debates but on a “technicality,” the Beta team of Jim Hovey and Baker Ferguson received a rematch and beat the independents on a 3-2 decision and were declared the champions.

G. In 1938, there were about 4 or 5 regular individual events.

H. In 1938, the predominant type of debate was Oxford (with no cross-examination).

I. In 1937, Whitman celebrated the 100th triangular debate.

J. Women's triangular debates were held in Pullman on Decomeber 11. The women place second with a 4-4 record, and WSU won.

K. Men's triangular debates were held in Walla Walla on December 4. The men took 1st with a 4-4 record. Clark and Hagberg were 4-0, and Reid and Joe Wilson were 3-1.

L. At the Pacific Forensic League Tournament in Reno, Reid place first in extemporaneous speaking, 1st in after dinner speaking, and 1st in debate Wilson.

M. At the Linfield tournament Reid and King were undefeated with a 10-0 record in debate. Baker Ferguson and Wilson were finalists in debate. Reid placed in extemporaneous speaking and won 3rd in after dinner speaking.

N. Whitman also attended tournaments at Gonzaga University, the University of Idaho, and the College of the Pacific.

O. Intramural debate

1. The Kappa team of Renata Thomas and Janet Ferguson won the women's title and won four debates.

2. The independent men's team of John Snoddy and Ross Kit won four debates, but the Beta team of Jim Hovey and Ferguson received a rematch on a technicality, beat the independents on a 3-2 decision, and were declared the champions.

P. In 1938, Whitman competed in Oxford debate, four to five individual events, and celebrated the 100th triangular debate.