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Show iy Hi Reprinted by permission from The Christian Science Monitor ^1969 The Christian Science Publishing Society All rights reserved Small Maine college plans Muslim program By Kenneth G. Gehret Education editor of The Christian Science Monitor Houlton, Maine Ricker College is this year celebrating its 20th anniversary as a four-year liberal-arts institution. It traces its academic beginnings back an additional 101 years to the founding of Houlton Academy, a preparatory school. But instead of commemorating the past, Ricker officials are looking eagerly and busily toward the future, initiating new programs keyed to the changing needs on campus and in the community. Major developments include: • Muslim-world studies, with a degree program scheduled to begin in two years. e A 1969-70 black-studies course, growing out of a black-culture seminar held on campus this spring. • Plans for leadership training among local Indians. • Student involvement in formulating long-term college policy. In time, Ricker officials expect the Muslim- world studies program to give the Baptist-related institution a distinctive academic appeal. Dr. C. Worth Howard, president of the college, explains the rationale behind the program: "Here is a people-500 million of them- with a culture developed under a strong religious influence and clearly represented by language, a culture standing in contrast to many of the values of the Western world. This is a worthwhile area of knowledge to introduce to students, leading to a degree of understanding of a non-Western civilization." Dr. Howard goes on to emphasize the necessity for an intimate knowledge of the Muslim culture and language for those who intend to become scholars in the field, businessmen working in Muslim areas, and government officials serving in Muslim countries or dealing with their governments. The Ricker president's convictions on the importance of fostering a better understanding of the Muslim v/orld have their roots in his own experience. H e served over a period of 32 years at the American University in Cairo, ending his service with a lengthy term as dean of the institution. Dr. Howard draws a distinction between Muslim studies offered in most colleges and universities and the program as envisioned at Ricker. "Other programs are Middle East-oriented," he explains. "Our concept is broader. W e will place great emphasis on the Middle East, of course. But we will cover the whole range of Muslim countries from Morocco through Pakistan to Indonesia." At present the program is limited to two interdisciplinary courses in Muslim-world civilization - "a functional comparative approach" that combines political science, history, philosophy, religion, sociology, and economics-and elementaly and intermediate Arabic language. Beginning in the fall, Ricker students who are social science majors will be required to take the two courses in Muslim civilization. T w o years later a program will be instituted leading to the bachelor of arts degree in Muslim-world studies. The scholar responsible for drawing up the program, in addition to teaching present Muslim-civilization and Arabic-language courses at Ricker, is Egyptian-born Dr. Abdulmunim Shakir. H e sees the college as a future leader in international studies. Dr. Shakir's plan for Muslim studies anticipates 30 semester hours in the social science division and 20 hours (Arabic language) in the humanities division. He describes a typical program for a degree in Muslim studies as including the following specialized courses: Freshman year - Muslim-world civilization (two semesters); now offered. Sophomore year - Arabic language and Muslim-world history (two semesters each). Junior year -Arabic language and Muslim- world political thought (two semesters each). Senior year -Arabic language and Muslim- world political systems (two semesters each); Muslim-world economic geography and Muslim-world international politics (one semester each). The program will grow as rapidly as student interest develops and financial support bpcomes available. A $50,000 grant from the Saudi Arabian Government has been announced. Dr. Howard expects other nations, groups interested in Arabic-American relations, and American corporations involved in the Middle East to lend support to the Ricker program. The new black-studies course, like the present Muslim-world civilization studies, will utilize the interdisciplinary approach. Known as Black Culture in America, it will "survey the significant aspects of the Negro in America as they are reflected in literature, music, and art," according to Leon Coleman of the humanities department, who will teach it. "The course will draw upon faculty members of other departments, particularly in the fields of history and sociology." The faculty unanimously approved the black-studies course. Both the administration and staff agree with Mr. Coleman that "an understanding of the Negro's cultural heritage is essential in order for both races to cope with increasing racial tensions." The course grew out of general campus concern for black studies. N o confrontation or demonstration was involved. Students are also participating in the work of the Cooperative Planning Committee, which is taking a close look at Ricker in terms of its long-range needs and opportunities. Thirty-five representatives were elected from the student body to sit as voting members on the 87-member overall committee which will receive reports from and act on the recommendations of seven subcommittees. Students are included on the subcommittees and on the coordinating committee. Areas for discussion and action are educational philosophy, student body, faculty, curriculum, physical facilities, budget, and fund raising. |