Once again, a disaster looms.
Once again, it is brought on by a well-meaning, befuddled, unwitting Administrator.
Once again, severe damage will be the outcome.
The Dean of Arts and Humanities at University of Maryland, College Park can no longer support the Classics Department as a separate and distinct entity.
He has instructed them to find a home in a bigger department, such as English.
Why?
Because the Classics department at UMd does not offer ph.d.s.
Wait! Does that mean that the department is a drain on the University?
That it doesn't pull its weight?
No.
Actually, the Classics department does more than its share.
Every one of the professors teaches at least one four hour lower language class per week.
None of the professors who are advisors are given course release time.
UMd is the only public institution in Maryland that offers coursework in Latin and Greek for students aspiring to be grade school and high school teachers.
Newsflash here: There's a Dearth of Latin Teachers; this department in the work they do addresses that serious deficiency in our school system.
Yes, students can earn an MA there.
Yes, the professors know how to write articles and books.
Some of them have even appeared on the History Channel.
Yet it is a department that is deeply committed to pedagogy - to having its students learn how to most effectively teach, not simply spew facts to show how smart they are.
UMd is a shining example of what an ideal university Classics department could look like.
This is not a department with Publish or Perish tunnel-vision;
it is one which truly serves its students in the best of all possible ways.
It is why I am writing about them.
This is one of the few departments in the country that is taking head on the serious issues facing the youngest students in our country by preparing teachers for their time in grade school.
And what happens?
They are being penalized.
Why?
Because they are meeting a need.
And the irony here?
The Dean of Arts and Humanities?
He wants to see Classics survive at UMd.
Bravo for him.
Yeah.
Right.
Really.