THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, January 18, 1996 TAG: 9601180473
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TAMARA STANLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
How would you like to foil your professor? Or back him into a corner at sword's point and . . .
Such fantasies came true for a group of Virginia Wesleyan students who took a fencing course as part of the school's two-week January term.
Not only did they get a chance to put Steven Emmanuel at the business end of a foil, they got credit for doing it.
``The Art of Fencing,'' taught by Emmanuel, who during the regular school year teaches philosophy, is one of 50 classes offered during January Term. The respite from the regular academic grind gives students the opportunity to take such courses as ``Chess for Beginners,'' ``Community Service'' and ``Designing Your Dream House of the Future.'' There is also something called ``Forrest Gump says, `This Project is Like Makin' a Box of Chocolates.' ''
The school requires students to take two Term classes credited toward graduation. The classes are pass/no pass.
Before Sean Nesbit, a 19-year-old music major, picked up a foil two weeks ago he was ``this semimeek, shy guy who sat in the back of the class. Now I'm fighting someone with a sword,'' he said.
Many of the 13 would-be Musket-eers in Emmanuel's fencing class, which ended Wednesday, said the class not only provided a good workout but gave them self-confidence, discipline and focus.
After communications major Leya Atangan, 20, defeated her opponent she collapsed breathless. ``Your heart beats so fast even after a three-minute fence. It's great for your cardiovascular.''
January Term was developed to provide``an open exchange of ideas and values among students and faculty members in an environment free from external pressure and bias,'' according to the program's catalog.
However, the future of the 22-year-old Wesleyan tradition is in question. A year ago Professor Paul Resslar proposed changing the academic calendar to lengthen and balance the semesters. This suggests the end of January Term.
One proposed change to the program was to make it more academic and in line with students' majors. But Emmanuel and his students believe the break from curriculum enhances their education.
The philosophy professor sees sports and academics as the blade and grip of the same sword. There is a need for both on a liberal arts campus, he said.
``There is a way to success in engaging an opponent and strong, healthy ways of pursuing knowledge and truth,'' he said. ``If you allow yourself to become too fixated, rigid, you're sure to be defeated. If you're too lax, not focused enough, you're defeated.
``Victory is for those who can remain fluid, flexible. The same principles that apply to becoming a good athlete go into creating a good mind.''
His students agree.
Nesbit wants January Term, and ``The Art of Fencing'' to continue without changes.
``During the regular semester, you're pushing, pushing for your academic classes. You need an outlet, something fun like this, or you'll end up with an ulcer and a heart attack before you're 30.''
Vaughn Gladwell, 18, a sociology major, said the class taught him control and patience. He plans to take the class again, although Virginia Wesleyan does not give credit for a repeated class.
Each of the top three fencers took home a golden pin bearing a mask with two crossed foils.
They trade their blades for books and return to regular classes in four days.
Emmanuel hopes the philosophy of fencing can guide them through the academic combat zone. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photos]
BILL TIERNAN photos
The Virginian-Pilot
Virginia Wesleyan junior Aaron Sommerstein crosses foils with
freshman Dionne Paniza on the final day of class Wednesday.
Steve Emmanuel, who also teaches philosophy, says the school should
continue to offer January Term, a one-month respite from academic
rigors.
by CNB