UNIT SEVEN-Black-and-White Judgments (LIA 183)

The crude feeling that in everything two extremes hold is a block to understanding. Thus, "If you're not with me, you're against me." Or, "If you're not a Fascist, you must be a communist." These words, "Fascist" and "Communist" are not polar words in the sense that "up" and "down" or "fast" and "slow" are. The last two pairs do not exist except in relation to each other.

Students tend to think in the child mentality of the "goods" and the "bads," without gradations. An interesting exercise is the placement of two antonyms on the board. The class, should add the intervening words, as between "hot" and "cold."

UNIT EIGHT-Shifts in Meaning.

The word is frequently misleads, because it is used in all kinds of situations. Sometimes it is used in definitions as:

"A straight line is the shortest distance between two points."

Too frequently, though, it is used in opinions:

"Mary is a snob."

Note that the two is's are no longer equivalent. The following sentences from LGE, page 175, provide further drill on the uses of is.

He is a fool.

The book is on the table.

A quart is two pints.

Slavery is the lowest state of man.

One and one is two.

This is my book.

This is my right hand.

There is not another man like him anywhere on earth.
This man is my brother.

"Beauty is truth, truth beauty."

Are they all capable of verification?

UNIT NINE-Connotation in Advertising

Advertisers rely upon pleasant connotations to sell their products. (The skin you love to touch.") Hayakawa in LIA makes the point that appeals of this sort are all right provided that "things happen as promised if I do as directed." Emotional appeal in itself isn't bad. Thus, "Give to the Community Chest and enable poor children to enjoy better care," is a definite emotional appeal. This is good if, when you give, you do enable poor children to enjoy better care. The advertisement would be harmful if the money went for some other purpose. (LIA—99, 107)

UNIT TEN-Opposite Meanings for the Same Word

This may be used as a pleasant diversion to point out how extremely

tricky words are. The following point out the importance of context in an unusual way.

The fast horse (may be running or tied)

To dust a table (take off dust)

To dust a dog (put on dust)

Slow up or down (antonyms with the same meaning)

Physiography Reports for Duty

DONALD T. CHARLTON

William Cullen Bryant High School

It has been rightly said, "A General is a soldier who can read a contour map.' Teachers of Physiography are not trying to make future generals of their pupils but rather to acquaint them with their earth and its relationship to other celestial bodies of our uni

verse.

Physiography is not a new subject. One of the first Regents examinations was given in physiography back in 1878. Many students in Axis countries specialize in it for four, six, or even eight years of their secondary and college career, calling it Erdkunde or our Earth Science.

Hitler's plan of world conquest has been credited to Haushofer's theory of Geopolitiks. A course in physiography is prescribed and considered basic for thousands of our picked young soldiers training to be engineers under the Army Specialized Training Program in many colleges and universities throughout this country.

Physiography, important in peace time, is even more so in wartime. Immediately after Pearl Harbor, the Physiography Teachers' Association was requested by the Board of Superintendents to prepare a war course in meteorology and one in topography and map reading to meet the needs of the War Department for better trained boys in these essential fields. One month later, many of the high schools were prepared to offer these courses through syllabi developed by the physiographers. The State Department, at our request, has incorporated many of these modifications into the Earth Science syllabus, thereby making the War Courses conform to the full year's sequence of topography and meteorology.

Prof. Daniel T. O'Connell has said the following about the value of the subject:

"The subject matter of Physical Geography has always had important applications in war time. This is true today more than ever.

Weather and climate is of prime importance in global warfare. Topography, landforms are also of extreme importance. Ocean currents and drifts, and shorelines are of prime interest to our globe-trotting soldiers, sailors and aviators. The course has always included a study of maps and map projections, which is now considered a prerequisite for every military man, Physical Geography is a military course; every bit of it has its application in modern warfare.

"If this course had been given universally in the high schools of our country as it is in the secondary schools of Europe, it would not now be necessary for precious time to be taken away from the college studies of our soldier trainees in order to give them the basic knowledge of geography which we now realize is so important."

REPORTS FROM PUPILS. The many applications a pupil may have for his training in physiography are revealed in the letters received by teachers of this subject from former pupils now in the armed services. Here are excerpts from just a few:

Oct. 16, 1943. I am now in the Navy studying to be a Quartermaster. I thought that your physiography wouldn't help me, but I was mistaken, because along with learning navigation and sundry other subjects I have again come in contact with Meteorology. We have to know cloud formations, barometer and psychrometer functions and readings. Your teachings have helped me a lot because these subjects are very important and weather readings have to be put in th ship's log hourly. Along with being a message of thanks for your teaching it is a lesson for your aspiring male students who are soon to be entering the armed services."

Oct. 25, 1943. “I have just finished my basic and I have learned Map Reading and the map reading I learned in your class has come in handy. As for the study of the land, we have to know terrain thoroughly, I mean the contours, the shape of the hills, mountains, valleys, streams, so that we know the best place to entrench or hide. As for the meteorology, as a pilot I will have to learn all there is to know about this subject. I would most surely recommend physiography to anyone going into the army."

August 30, 1943. "Seven months have passed since my induction— seven months which passed with almost incredible speed-Basic Training, Drill Instructor School, Weather-Observer School-then the inevitable, application and acceptance as an Air Cadet Candidate.

* Address by Prof. Daniel T. O'Connell, Chairman, Geology Department and Supervisor, Geography Department, Army Specialized Training Unit 3225, SCSU, at C.C.N.Y., at a meeting of the Physical Science Chairmen's Association, Nov. 17, 1943, entitled, "War Applications of Physical Geography."

It will be two weeks Wednesday since I received my diploma and handshake and graduated a qualified weather observer. During the entire course I felt infinitely superior (and well nigh was for I graduated with a 95 per cent average) because of my background. Actually, however, the only background I've ever had in Weather was the Physiography course I took in high school.

But possibly because it explained so many things anyone with any curiosity would wonder at, I've retained more of that course than any other I've ever taken. I am amazed many times at the many details I've retained. For example, in my barracks there's a fellow taking CNT (Celestial Navigation Trainer). I spent about two hours the other night explaining the reasons for seasons, aphelion, perihelion, SVR and its movement from Cancer to Capricorn, etc."

Sept. 1943. "I've been in the service now since Jan. 29, 1943. I like it here in the Army and I find that some of our classes are similar to the subjects we were taught in Physiography. Especially so is the Map and Terrain Reading class. You might tell this to your classes. In fact, I am a bit at the head of my class, thanks to you and your teachings."

*

October 20, 1943. "I can truthfully say that Physiography is one of the most important of all the Sciences taught. All sciences are helpful in the Army and in the infantry physiography happens to be on top. Map (Contour) Reading is considered to be just as helpful as a rifle or any other weapon. I spoke to an officer in regard to its importance and he told me that any soldier must have a working knowledge of contour maps. I myself have not had any trouble. In fact, I am outstanding as far as this course is concerned. Twenty-eight hours are devoted to it and I must say that everyone enjoys this subject."

Jan. 19, 1944. "I am now in the Air Corps and already have taken about nine or ten different tests. We were asked what branch we would like to go in and I picked Meteorology. I had to take an Aptitude Test in Meteorology and did very well in it thanks to your teaching. There were questions on types of cloud formations, weather instruments, lapse rate readings including adiabatic, also causes of weather indications. I would like to be a Meteorology Cadet if I don't make Air Crew. Anyway everything I learned in school came in handy and if I should be put into ground crew I was told I would be put into Meteorology. I would like to express my gratitude for all you taught me."

........

Oct. 26, 1943. "I am now here at ... going through college flight training. I expect to be a pilot for Uncle Sam in the near future. But now I have a problem and you are the most logical person to help, if you can possibly do so. The text that we have is not the type commonly given out in school as it does not explain or picture any phases of the work-it generally gives the idea and during the class it is sup

posed to be completed by the instructor. The particular trouble we are having at the present time is the planetary system, the relation of planets to each other, and phases of the moon with relation to tides and eclipses. Of course most of the fellows have had it but it is not clear in our minds and we certainly want to get it cleared up. As I remember your sheets and diagrams were very complete and accurate and I could not locate any of these notes. There are 35 fellows who can use your help and are depending on me to get some word to them so if you can, with a minimum of time and effort, help us, even a little, as soldiers we would be very grateful for your help and consideration." Needless to say the teacher came to the rescue of the aforementioned class and dashed off 35 copies of his set of notes. Compare the above wartime uses to the "peacetime" letter below:

Sept. 17, 1941. "This summer I took a trip across the country and into Western Canada and saw nearly everything you taught us about. I saw glaciers, rivers and mountains of every type and description. I gasped at the beauty of the Grand Canyon and marvelled at the color of Crater Lake. I identified the limestone formations in the Cave of the Winds near Colorado Springs and drove through the tunnel tree at Yosemite. . . . I really appreciate the physiography course I took with you although I know that it was only a smattering of what there is to know. My trip was made much more beautiful and exciting because I knew something about everything I saw."

No wonder Physiography has been termed "Valuable in Peacetime, Invaluable in Wartime!"

Physiography has always kept in advance of educational trends in developing topics in keeping with the advances in its field. The revised syllabus in Earth Science dated 1939 called for topics on the Polar Front Theory as well as the Air Mass Theory in the field of Meteorology.

"Global Mindedness" and "Air Mindedness" are not new terms to the Physiographer! A mere glance at the 1939 syllabus of Earth Science reveals that many topics covered in Aeronautics such as meteorology, topography, map reading and fundamentals of navigation have been regularly taught in physiography classes for many years. It may even surprise many of our "Air-Age" educators to know that the Regents Examination has been consistently "Global" and “Aid-minded." A sample of questions from the Physiography (Earth Science) Regents examinations of the past decade shows this subject long anticipated the "New Global School of Thought" we see widely advertised in daily newspapers and educational literature. Questions from such examinations with their dates bear out the foresight of the examiners and instructors.