SCUE sponsors mini-course pilot program for next fall

The Student Committee on Undergraduate Education will sponsor a new pilot program next fall offering six mini-courses, called "preceptorials." The program will feature six courses, each about 15 hours long, taught by a University professor. Student were able to register at yesterday's SCUE Majors Fair. Additional registration may be done over electronic mail or at the SCUE office, although the courses are restricted to 10 to 15 students each. SCUE chairperson and Wharton junior Ben Nelson said the body hopes the pilot program will allow students to interact with a professor and discuss a topic in an informal setting. "Most of a student's learning is from a textbook," said Nelson. "How many times do you get to go to a museum or talk to a professor?" The faculty involved also said they were excited about the program. Undergraduate English Chairperson Al Filreis, who is teaching a preceptorial in modern and contemporary poetry, said the program is a good way to give busy students exposure to different topics. "I'm very excited about teaching modern poetry to students who probably otherwise don't have the time to devote an entire semester to the subject," Filreis said. "So many Penn students are tied up in major and degree requirement that they don't have a chance to do intellectual exploration of new territory. This gives them the opportunity to do so." Music Professor Norman Smith, who will teach a preceptorial in 19th century literature and music, explained that his interest in the program stemmed from a confidence in SCUE's ability to put together provocative and successful programs. "I also support this program because I support closer faculty-student relations which have a serious, intellectual content," Smith said. "Like all professors, one likes to believe, I hope, that students taking this course or any other course?will have a stimulating intellectual experience." Since the program is experimental, the courses will not be offered for credit. After the fall semester, SCUE intends to follow the progress of the program and publish recommendations for its further implementation. The first preceptorial, "Modern and Contemporary American Poetry" will be taught Filreis. The course will examine the transition of modernism to post-modernism through analysis of modern and contemporary poetry. The second, "19th Century Music and Literature," with Smith, will examine three musical works and their literary influences. The third, "Scientific Discovery in the Media," taught by Biochemistry Professor Ponzy Lu, will discuss scientific discoveries as portrayed in popular science publications, such as The New York Times. The fourth, "Philadelphia: Vessel of the Revolution," will look at three sites in Philadelphia and examine their role in th the 18th century and the American Revolution. Urban Studies Professor George Thomas will teach the course. The fifth preceptorial, "Dynamics of Media Campaign Coverage" will be taught by Undergraduate Political Science Chairperson Henry Teune. The course will examine the role of media coverage in the presidential campaign. Participants in the class will cover local media events as part of their research. The sixth preceptorial, "Views and Perspectives on the Theater," will be taught by Theater Arts Professor James Schlatter. The class will attend two local theater productions and discuss the role of the spectator in the theater.