Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Getting the facts on the Arabs OVER THE LAST FEW years we have witnessed a growing interest in the Middle East, its people, their politics, culture and religion. Consequently, major universities in the nation have greatly expanded their course offerings on the language, culture, politics, history and religion of the Arab World. The University of South Carolina, which is striving to achieve international recognition and status, needs to develop studies in this significant area. I wish to suggest that the administration seriously consider hiring a well-qualified faculty member to direct and develop the Arab studies program in the Foreign Language Department. At present, Arabic courses are offered through the evening school. This limits enrollment and allows littlp onnortnnitv for #?nrir?hm#?nt or Avnnricinn of thp program. I have taught Arabic Studies at this institution for the last three years, and I feel there are many advantages to be gained for the university in expanding the Arabic Studies program. ?Guest Column Due to the presence of a very vital resource ? oil ? and the accumulation of huge amounts of petrodollars in that area, the United States, and particularly South Carolina, has a vested interest to strengthen the ties of communications and understanding with the people of that region. More Americans than ever are moving to the Gulf area to work or to investigate possibilities of trade exchange between the United States and the Arab world. \ often have been personally contacted for consultation or advice by corporations, business people and individuals who expressed interest in the area. Having a qualified person from the Middle East to teach Arabic courses would be a tremendous service to the university and to its students. The Arabic Studies program needs strong direction from a person able to devote full time to the task. HAVING AM ARAR arp? #?*n#?rf thp nniuprsitv u/niilri ho r?f apAnt service to the community. There are many requests from schools, clubs and churches in Columbia for someone qualified to address their members on topics related to the Arab world and to respond to inquiries. Often the media is interested in interviewing a person who could reflect the views and concerns of the people in the Middle East. South Carolina is in the process of strengthening its ties with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. It seems the university should provide programs which will prepare its students to deal with this reality. The Department of Religious Studies has been strongly criticized in the past for not offering a single course on Islam. At a time when American involvement in a region overwhelmingly dominated by this religion is growing, it becomes essential for Americans to educate themselves on this topic in order to accurately understand the people of xnMln- A f- > 4 - - I 1-_ 1J 1- - 1 '? ? - ? (.ma icgiuu. t\ lacuny meiiiutji wnu cuuia ieacn Dom Araoic ana islam could besought. Reading the draft of the joint degree program in International Business between USC and the American University in Cairo underscores the need for an Arab area expert who could offer sound advice on this huge project still in its planning stages. However, hiring an Arabic instructor should not be tied to M.I.B.S. as a number of uncertainties exist that jeopardize the program even if it starts. HIRING A QUALIFIED Arabic instructor would put the University of South Carolina's name on the map of centers and universities with interests in the Middle East. By attending conferences, publishing articles and books, and becoming an active member of various associations and societies, this faculty member would represent USC and would thus promote it international image. Exchange programs with a number of Arab countries could enhance the reputation of the liniuorcitu ?... * c. vj VV.U.UV. . Having President Anwar Sadat attend a commencement or sending "Carolina Alive" to Egypt on a tour are positive steps in the right direction. However, the effects of either of these two actions tend to be momentary while the effects of hiring a full-time faculty member would have far greater range and impact. Mohammed s Daoudj Department of Government and International Studies Qamecock On Letters - k The Gamecock welcomes letters from Founded 1908 its readers letters must be typewritten and triple spaced on a 65-space line and Stephen R.ddell Editor in Ch.ef should ^ a maximum of 300 words. Letters must be signed with the writer's Janet Gibson Copv Desk Chief correct name, telephone, mailing address, Danny Powell News Ed.tor Pseudonums me uuui-i-rpihuie, dui ine writer's name Mike Chibbaro Sports Editor may be withheld by request if cirMark Chevalier Entertainment Editor cumstances warrant. We reserve the right to edit letters for i John Parnell Graphics Editor space and style. Address letters to: Karen Addy Editorial Page Editor Campus Opinion, The Gamccock, Drawer A, USC, Columbia, S.C. "J9208. Carl Babcock Graduate Assistant Anthony Gray Advertising Manager Bill Outlaw General Manager . Jean Hatched Business Manager On Columns William Tinslev PrnriiirnnnM?n.-... Mark McE wan Assistant Prod. Man. In an effort to increase reader input into .. . _ .. . . J , future issues, the Gamecock offers a Mark Ethndge Jr Adviser ,, . , weekly guest column. Columns must be limited to one Newsroom: 777-7181 newsworthy subject and must be no more Advertising: 777-4249 than foy,. typed pages. All columns must Business Office: 777-3888 be tvi>ewritten and trinle sr?ir?l nn a rroauction: / /7-2833 space line. All facts must be accurate. The editorial page editor reserves the right to Sole reproduction rights granted to the reject any column for any reason and edit Associated Prass. All other material contained for space, content, style and accuracy, herein may not be reprinted without the Columns must be signed with correct permission of the editor. name, address, telephone, major and class standing or faculty position. Address Opinions expressed in the Gamecock are columns to: Guest Column, The those, if signed, of the writer and, if unsigned. Gamecock, Drawer A, IISC, Columbia, SC. of the senior editorial staff. 29206 mm HIGH SCHOOL" Lett UbU cultural To the Editor: This letter concerns the Gamecock editorial by Mark Platte on the Carolina Arts Center requests responses. This response relates to the specifics of the editorial and the plans for the proposed Arts Center. ml? 'rv a.? ? a * - * ? - ? me ueparimenis 01 Art, Tneatre and Speech, Music, and Media Arts are presently housed in inadequate, crowded, and non-permanent facilities. USC students are being deprived of the best education the state can provide due to this fact. A major university should support the Arts as they are a major source of cultural history and have always pointed to the future. The proposed Carolina Arts Center will provide every student in the future a better educational environment, and the students in our excellent arts programs the ODDortunitv to have the support required for excellence. The Carolina Arts Center will also house the Instructional Services Center and the Fox Movietone Collection which are integral parts of the university community, and the growing excellence of the educational opportunities available to students at the Anti-abortionist To the Editor: I am compelled to respond to the options and deci< two letters to the editor attacking be best not to h Karen Addy's editorial on abor- should then hai tion, both of which were written by exercise that choi men. It seems that James M. We could argue Gibson and Edward Roberts have for an eternity. I been in academia too long and had fetus as "a v better take a long hard look at the organism draw real world. from the parent 1 flihsnn rpcpntc Mc AHHv fni* aimnct Hm ATJM, t ivtvij ivi aunvov uiu oamc realistically discussing the tapeworm, economic and sociological The point is th statistics of abortion, and in ad- their own set of n dition has the audacity to refer to the intensely traumatic experience of having an unwanted pregnancy JO | O / and later a child as merely "un- t~ pleasantness and inconvenience." Tn t. As heartless as the statistics ? may De, it is a lact that in the real crnnecocTTwas world, life is hell for ah unwanted St child and his or her parents understand or ca While I am speaking of the real world, I beckon Mr. Roberts to enter it. Abstinence, though cer- J?? " l u ' tainly a fool proof method of birth The Watri inas control and perhaps a fine ?! character builder (though ifc seems JLK" to have warped Mr. Roberts' view f Jif Prf ^ \* of the world) is iust not the formsnc?. As in Still Solution we are lieZ for. Maybe greatly improved sex impossible. Quali education and dissemination of birth control information is a more fj? r. ?* plausible answer. Besides perfor What both Gibson and Roberts fail tounderstand is that no woman dignltarieg a laI wants to have an abortion or ac- 0 * . ? ~. tually uses it as a method of birth . tnimnnLIhi! control. Most women, Including pro-abortionists would have great M we)i.round< qualms about ending their pregnancies. However, when a woman jiaq considered all of the % ? w I V *1? ;ens ly deprived University of South Carolina. The facilities for all of the previously identified divisions are definitely needed. The Carolina Art Center is also related directly to the Riverfront Development Program of the City of Columbia. Civic leaders, leaders in government, and others have been involved directly in planning. The Carolina Arts Center has not been a selfish development, but is truly a part of an ongoing overall plan to improve life in South Carolina and to maintain the quality of life for the community. Students and other users of the Center are programmed into the planning effort at this time. Thus, there is no evidence of the University attempting to operate in a vacuum. If one looks at the facts in the overall planning effort, one must see that the Carolina Arts Center meets pressing needs and involves those who will pay for construction. Hi* A Dn?*ln?? nitfln JLTB IB* A VI li^l IVlVtiHUI ? * Chairman Department of Media Arts :s ignore reality ies that jt^ would own definition of a fetus, and their civc a cmiu, sne own personal reelings on abortion. ve the right to Perhaps we should stop imposing ce. our values definitions and feelings our moral values on one another and let each person loberts defines a make her or his own decision about iable biological abortion. ing sustenance I thank Karen Addy for aclost..." I can use curately reporting on this and i definition for a other issues concerning women and hope she will continue to do so. at everyone has RoniKingsley loral codes, their Marine Science Graduate Student Vrts Center a must he article "Riley vs. USCM in the July 16 issue of the struck immediately by the writer's ignorance as to the osed Fine Arts Center. It was evident that he did not re about understanding the situation fully. it of Music is housed in a wide variety of places. The [cMaster, was converted from an elementary school. 3 transformed from an old warehouse. Practice rooms a -1?- ?* * - - - - - - - suneu omer piaces nKe old apartment buildings and inasium! cilities were not designed for music practice or permany apartments, the walls are paper thin, thus fig noise to be heard and making concentrated practice ty practice might be felt in vain anyway becaue unlike ty, The College of Charleston, S.C. State College and a . USC has no auditorium in which to perform. ming for ourselves, the Department of Music does for the university and community. Football game by the marching band, performing for incoming ge number fo public concerts, are just a few of the de. Without proper facilities, a quality performance is s. So, the university is represented poorly. is set up to be a well-rounded environment. Instead of id in a few areas, let's make it that way in all areas. Eric Schweickeri President, USC Music Student Council