Word: bard
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...mistake to consider Bard an aggregation of pseudo-left-bank dillettantes. The college has academic standards virtually as high as those of any school in the country, and keeps its students as busy with schoolwork as any more traditional institution. With the seminar method of instruction used in almost all courses, it is not easy for the student to "goof off" for any length of time. The majority of Bardians, moreover, do not concentrate in the creative arts--dance, drama, art, or music--but rather in the social sciences...
Besides these difficulties, Bard suffers from an unduly large faculty turnover, especially since many of its professors devote a goodly proportion of their time to professional work outside the field of teaching. Because of the effort required to teach a curriculum composed entirely of seminars, teachers find themselves hard-pressed. "To teach at Bard, one must be either a terrific idealist or a fanatic," mused Ruth Gillard, acting Dean and professor of Sociology. Yet, in spite of the difficulties in maintaining an adequate faculty, Bard offers a rather effective type of education...
...student who chooses Bard obviously is not looking for the traditional, ordinary educational experience. For those who have chosen the more traditional type of college, it is sometimes difficult to understand the particular appeal of the very small educational institution--especially Bard. At first glance the disadvantages of such an education seem to outweigh the advantages. The library is small; the student body is not varied; the professors are not ordinarily the top in their field; and the course possibilities are not wide...
...talking about Bard it would be unfair to take Harvard's standards and Harvard's aims, measure up Bard against these, and decide that it was quite deficient. Bard has quite particular goals and a unique but deliberate method of education. Ultimately, while one should keep in mind general educational aims, Bard must be judged by its own standards...
...Bard has such features. With its seven to one student--faculty ratio and idyllic seclusion it is in a sense a remarkably good place for intellectual development. Within this atmosphere the college aims--on paper at least--to develop creativity, individuality, and community spirit in its students. Detailed research is not part of the plan...