University of Virginia Library

Profile

David Offers 'Processes Of Change' Course

By TIM WHEELER

Perceiving the future has recently
become a popular pursuit of many
modern savants, sometimes assuming a
rather faddish aspect, with
sensationalistic prophesies and futuristic
societies springing up every day.

One man in the University
community, however, has been actively
engaged in a serious study of the future
for several years now. Paul T. David,
Professor of Government and Foreign
Affairs, is offering undergraduates a
chance for the first time second semester
to join him in examining the forces of
change which will create the world of the
future, in a course entitled "Processes of
Change and Their Governmental
Consequences."

The planned course, listed in the
directory as GFCG 107, had been taught
previously as a graduate level seminar, for
twelve to fifteen students. Mr. David
opened the course up this year though for
approximately thirty "preferably" third
or fourth year students with some
background in history.

Mr. David certainly possesses ample
credentials to speak with authority on the
future of society. He obtained his Ph.D.
in economics from Brown University in
1933, and has worked with various
committees and organizations of the
federal government for fifteen years.

"When I left the government (in
1950), I began my work in political
science." Since then, Mr. David has been
associated with the Brookings Institution
and the Center for Advanced Study in the
Behavioral Sciences before he came to the
University, where he is currently
department chairman.

In general, "Processes of Change" is an
"attempt to get at the basic changes in
the culture as a whole", through an
examination of the four main processes,
in population and the economy
especially; science and technological
processes; ideological processes; and
conflict processes, of war, revolution, and
mass violence.

Photo By Jim Massey

Paul T. David, Professor Of Government And Foreign Affairs

New Course Designed To Be A 'Help In Coping With Future Shock.'

The problems of nuclear war,
ideological conflicts, violence, but
particularly the problems of alienation in
an affluent society and among young
people will also be studied during the
semester.

According to Mr. David, "Processes of
Change" is an excellent "help in coping
with future shock, as Alvin Toffler
describes it. "I have had some students
who have found it as real therapy in
dealing with the future."