To the Editor:
Although I was pleased to read in Zeke Turner 09's op-ed, "Teaching the Art of Writing" (April 25) that the Writing Program is being overhauled with real and not merely cosmetic changes, I am distressed that one year has passed since professor Jim Kuypers left Dartmouth, and the Office of Speech remains shuttered. No speech courses are being offered, as no speech professor has been hired. The Office of Speech's website says: "Course offerings in speech are currently being restructured. Students interested in the study of speech and rhetoric should contact professor Margaret Graver in the department of classics for more information."
One primary aspect of Turner's criticism of the Writing Program classes was that students were taught by an untenured professor. But at least it's probably safe to assume that these professors were well versed in the art of writing! I have nothing against the department of classics, but professor Kuypers was trained in public communications, rhetoric and public address. He is published and well-regarded in his field. The notion of having current members of the Dartmouth faculty from other departments try to fill his shoes, however well meaning they are, is patently absurd. It would be nice if the speech professors were tenured, but at the least, hire someone qualified to teach speech!
Speech is as valuable a tool as writing, and it is far more than a science professor telling you to stand up straight, spit out your gum, take a deep breath and speak slowly. A good speech professor, such as professor Kuypers, teaches how to craft a speech, the three Aristotelian artistic proofs, how to select topoi, how to select appropriate words, how to perform audience analysis and when and how to use statistics, visual aids and the like. This does not occur without a teacher who knows what they are teaching.
Yes, just about everyone can give speeches, even without any of the special training that a competent rhetoric professor should have. But just like writing, very few people do it well. If we do not allow random professors to teach writing, why is it somehow acceptable to not hire a qualified professor to replace professor Kuypers? If we place such value on writing that professor Cormen hopes to eventually eliminate the Writing 5 exemption, how is it that we not only do not require a similar regime for speech, but we currently have no courses at all?
When professor Kuypers resigned last year, the administration's public response was one of surprise. They denied his charges that his office was understaffed, underfunded and disrespected by the College administrators. Given this administration's failure to make any effort to replace professor Kuypers and keep the Office of Speech alive, it seems self-evident which party in the dispute was telling the truth, and, sad to say, it isn't the College.