Browse Exhibits (3 total)
The Written Word
15 episodes, 1957, Department of Cinema, University of Southern California
From WNET:
"This long-awaited series featuring Dr. Frank Barter tells the story of human records from primitive marks and pictographs to the coming of modern machine methods of printing after 1800. Using pictures, charts, maps, blackboard, and many models and demonstrations, the program tells the story of our alphabet from its Proto-Semitic beginnings to important families of modern typefaces. Attention is given to cuneiform writing and to the many varieties of writing of the Egyptians. The basic writing substances of the western world (clay, papyrus, parchment and paper) are all discussed and actual demonstrations show the making of a clay brick and the manufacture of sheets of papyrus and paper. Dr. Baxter demonstrates the art of block printing, and on a model of an early press prints a small four-page folio book. Most of the models, drawings, and visual materials used on these programs are the work of the lecturer. Original manuscript and printed leaves and books are displayed and commented on. Dr. Baxter feels that this brief series constitutes an interesting introduction to the history of the written and printed word. A bibliography prepared by Dr. Baxter will be available for distribution."
Language and linguistics
13 episodes, 1958, META (University of Buffalo)
From WNET:
"Dr. Henry Lee Smith, Jr., of the University of Buffalo, presents an introduction to linguistics covering the nature of language, its structure and development. He conducts a comprehensive survey of what language really is, considering how it forms a basis for all human interaction. Dr. Smith shows the relation of linguistic science to teaching a foreign language, teaching reading and the analysis of the psychiatric interview."
Language in action
13 episodes, 1958, KQED (San Francisco)
From WNET:
"Internationally-known semanticist, Dr. S. I. Hayakawa, provides an introduction to the science of general semantics and an examination of the fundamental processes of human communication. He discusses the means of “expanding the limits of one’s language” in accordance with our basic human responsibility which is to communicate. He provides illustrations of the fact that the communication process involves finding common areas of experience and points out that toward this end listening is as important as speaking. Illustrations ranging from advertising and poetry to the lyrics of popular songs are used to show how language determines not only what we say, but in a large measure, what we do and what we think."