I he
Battalion
O PINION
Page 11 • Monday, February 22, 1999
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A sound mind in a sound body
Vew kinesiology classes should pertain to
afferent majors, have practical application
< |inesio
■dents
Inns, it
nesiology. For some stu-
across this cam-
it is a chance to re-
pture the glory of high
hool physical education. For
hers, it is the dreaded waste
time and tuition money.
Some students do not ap-
eciaie the opportunity to
end four college-level class
learning to bowl, do the
Manisha
PAREKH
ia-cha or play handball; they believe kinesiology
rtply does not apply to their major or to real life.
Ofpourse, It is easy to see their point. How
any psychology majors are really going to use a
nnirg class unless they are being chased by a
ychppath ex-patient?
otjuju HoW many computer engineering majors really
ClWor , ec j | 0 {3^0 strength training unless, one day
hen they are frustrated, they decide to throw
me mainframes across the room? The answer:
d too many.
The kinesiology classes that tend to fill up all
emko have one thing in common: they have a
actipal application to the lives of certain majors.
Golf probably fills up because many students
e the need to learn the fascinating sport that is
sociated with business, money, schmoozing and
e 19th hole. For many corporate wannabes,
irnihg golf can be an important asset for the hi
re.
Journalism majors probably rush to take self-de-
nse|ust in case they have to interview Sean Penn
Christian Slater one day.
Taking these factors into consideration, it would
•pear that the kinesiology department should of-
rmore classes that have practical applications
r different majors. Here are some suggestions.
Beginning Professional Wrestling: This offer-
dsldirected at theater arts majors and pre-law
idehts since it teaches the basics of physical act-
and injury.
Students will learn about faking punches, in
juries and body slams. They will also learn basic
techniques for professional wrestling makeup ap
plication. Some assignments will include creating
a wrestling stage name, learning how to shout
about an opponent’s mother while being thrown
down on the mat and the functionality of spandex
and lycra.
Political science majors who are interested in
running for a governorship are highly encouraged
to take the class.
Beginning Disco Dancing: This class is geared
towards those students who plan on pursuing a ca
reer in government or public science.
It will help students get into the ’70s mood,
which is a definite plus if one wishes to work in
the retro ’70s government mentality.
Design students should also take the class since
the ’70s is the essence of fashion and architectural
don’ts.
Bungee Jumping: This class meets at the top of
the O&M Building. It is designed to give physics
majors a hands-on experience with spring models,
gravitational force, acceleration towards the Earth
and, occasionally, the effects of rapid deceleration.
Business majors are encouraged to sign up for
the class in order to experience the “ups and
downs” that can be related to the stock market.
Urban Venture Dynamics: This class is de
signed for the average A&M student. The course
begins with a unit on dashing from West Campus
parking areas to Main Campus classes.
Other units include learning how to properly
play chicken (the skills test is fairly demanding),
how to sprint from a building to an illegally-
parked car before PTTS officers can ticket it and
how to master the art of dodging bicycles.
Perhaps it is a stretch to believe these kinesiolo
gy “classes” would really be course offerings at
A&M. But considering the recent proposed fee in
creases, anything is possible.
Manisha Parekh is
a junior psychology and
jonrnalism major.
education with character calls out to teachers, students
TERRY ROBERSC*
Caleb
MCDANIEL
|he fifth of
andhi’s sev
en social sins
education with-
ich, squeegee; it character —
lowers. TheiTrikes right at the
novedtothe art of academia,
h. AslAmerica’s
achers and stu-
■nts prepare for
erman was thet'«®| u c a ^' ° na '
iHer with h omi se of the 21st century, the cultiva-
ledall playeis’* )n ot character must rank high on
xas made 13d| r list of priorities.
/s in the finales For as long as there have been teach-
he victory andiC s an d students, character in the edu-
r the game, donal environment has first involved
te Longhornssli’°iding the cardinal academic sin —
the floor while: ICl? it.
son-low 29.6pe: The prohibition of plagiarism and
worst in schooll e intolerance of cheating are neces-
think thatthev ry for schools and universities to per-
on us insomerrm their intended tasks.
Watkins said. T | ||
there audit's go': |
is (between the i:
Indeed, education without the com
mon character of student honesty is
destined not to be educational at all,
since students who prevaricate about
their understanding are mainly hurting
themselves.
Likewise, educators, professors and
researchers must uphold rigorous stan
dards of academic ethics.
Instruction without integrity
amounts to infamy; the absence of
character from academicians would be
nothing less than a horrible disgrace.
However, Gandhi’s admonition to
make education estimable involves
more than refraining from cheating.
It further involves instructing stu
dents not only in academic disciplines
but also in the ways of good living.
Texas A&M has long touted this
“other education” as a primary part of
the college experience, and its efforts to
implement Gandhi’s sentiment are
praiseworthy indeed.
However, it is always worth remind
ing ourselves that the “other educa
tion” ultimately entails more than
learning how to whoop, how to walk
like an elephant and how to wear an
Aggie ring.
Education with character means
more than infusing students with an
Aggie spirit — it also means inspiring
students to be better people.
It involves an understanding that
knowledge is not the only or even pri
mary intellectual goal.
Knowing how to use information is
as equally important as knowing how
to get information, so education with
character will not divorce knowledge
from wisdom.
These somewhat intangible fruits of
education will of course be hard to per
ceive in the short run. However, there
are at least two characteristics of a
- NAME THE degrading act MoNicA was Asked to
PERFORM ON MORE THAN 1BA DIFFERENT OCCASIONS'
character-based education that can be
immediately monitored.
First, education with character will
teach students to be humble learners.
Academic conceit is antithetical to
academic character, since the smartest
person of all will realize how much
they have yet to learn.
There is never a point in a human
life when it can be truly said that one
knows everything there is to know.
Therefore, while education without
character creates arrogance and intel
lectual pretense in students, education
with character will encourage students
to reach for their potential while re
specting their limits.
Secondly, education with character
will be sure to keep the most important
things most important.
It will emphasize that learning is not
as important as loving, being smart is
less valuable than having a heart and a
wealth of knowledge is not as lasting as
a wealth of friends.
If educators and students both ap
proach the academic enterprise with
such guiding principles in mind, A&M '
and other universities will continue to
flourish.
But the educational world must con
stantly beware of indifference or conde
scension.
We must always seek to melt these
twin mountains of ice with the warmth
of an abiding character to temper our
educational goals.
For ultimately, when each teacher
and student comes to the end of life,
the most important question will not be
how much we know but how well we
have lived.
Caleb McDaniel is a sophomore
history major.
MAIL CALL
Greek system more
limiting than elitist
In response to Andrew Davis’ Feb. 15
mail call.
Prostitution can never
be considered moral
A- ORM_ TESTIMONY.
It is true that the Greek system has
not been a part of A&M life for long, but
it is here to stay whether you like it or
not— and that really should be the end
of the story, but it is not.
I have been at A&M long enough to
know that I will never develop a liking for
it, but I have learned to accept it as part
of college life.
To me the Greek system represents a
limited view of college life. Why limit
yourself to a small group of people to
enjoy college life?
What is the point of college if you are
not willing to open up to changes and
new possibilities that will help you grow
when you go out into the “real world."
I feel like that is the number one
thing I have learned at A&M. That is why
I have enjoyed my experience at A&M to
the max.
Too often former Aggie surveys com
plain that people graduating from A&M
lack necessary leadership qualities to
deal with the ever-changing world and
ethnic diversity.
To me the Greek system only helps to
promote this view.
A point to incoming freshmen and
sophomores: the Greek system is not
the only way to be socially active and
meet new people.
Irfan Shaikh
Class of '96 and ’99
It trembles me to see a student at
Texas A&M, or any person anywhere,
claiming that prostitution, as filthy as
it is, could be implied to be “moral” or
“good for our nation.”
This nation was raised on righteous
ness and with the current trend it is
sure to crumble. It is all written down
in a fantastic book called the Holy
Bible.
Finally, in response to the conclu
sion of the article: Yes, Jesus in His
great love for mankind that despised
Him even humbled Himself to eat with
prostitutes so that one sinner might
repent, just as He humbled Himself on
the cross for the entire world.
Therefore, you are greatly mistaken.
David Now
Class of ’00
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