Evening star., 1962-12-30
DIMENSION EDUCATION
Sharp Rise Develops
In Study of Classics

~~
this was the situation until q
few years ago.
New Surge of Interest
Recently, however, a startling
change has taken place. Stu
dents have swung to the
classics. On the high school
level, enrollments in Latin
classes have increased substan-
TALLY. On the college level, there
has been a similar surge of
interest in both Latin and
Greek and not only in Ian
guage but In literature and
civilization courses, as well.
Teachers and professors Of
classical courses have found
themselves in the midst of
what is, for them, a veritable
boom.
Hard to believer Here are
some statistics:
o High school foreign Ian
guage studies in this country,
as noted in a new publication
Of the Modern Language AS
sociation, show that in 1960-
81 Latin had nearly 80 per
cent Of language students
among its following-making it
second only to Spanish, which
had SO per cent, and far more
popular than French. Italian,
or other languages.
Q Membership in the Junior
Classical League. which totaled
IL 200 a decade ago, is now at
nearly $4,000, and there are
now chapters in 46 States.
Q A tabulation of reports
from 80 colleges and univer-
sites published in January Of
this year shows that between
the l959-60 school year and the
l960-6l school year. the number
of students enrolled in Greek
classes rose by "a per cent, the
number of Latin students in
creased 9.5 per cent, and the
number Of students majoring
in the classics jumped by more
than 20 per cent!
What is behind this new
wave of interest in the classics?
What does it mean?
There are a number Of fac
tors involved. according to DR..
Graydon W. Regenos of Tulane
University, past president Of
the Classical Association Of the
Middle West and South and
chairman of the board of
trustees of Eta Sigma Phi, ma
tional honor classical frater-
nifty.
Sputnik a Spur
ITO begin with, 1t is gen.
orally believed that Suptnik is
at least partially responsible"
says DR.. Regenos. Russia
frightened us, educationally.
and we turned again to the
fundamentals Of good educa-
ton.
Another factor at work is
that Greek and Latin have a
certain fascination for the
keen-minded students - and
more and more of our students
are keen-minded and intel
lectually curious.
And still another reason lies
In the fact that things are
happening In the classics. The
deciphering OF the Linear B
writings shows us that Greek
as a language goes all the way
back TO 1900 or 1900 BIC,
making II several hundred years
older than we thought II was.
There are new interpretations
OF Homer and Virgil, and other
classics. Not long ago q new
Greek comedy was uncovered"
DR.. Regenos points out. too,
that new archaeological discov-
cries casting new light on the
ancient civilizations have
stirred interest in pre-history.
And, he adds, skindivers, who
have been probing the bottom
OF the Mediterranean Sea and
coming up with art objects
from sunken ships once headed
for the old lands. have created
new interest.
I'VE no longer have to con-
jure up all kinds OF reasons
for taking Latin and Greek"
DR.. Regenos says. There are
practical benefits. certainly. but
the important thing is that the
classics can be stimulating. can
be fun. More students are
realizing this"