Education: Telecast Campus

Since World War II, some 65 colleges have dabbled cautiously in the new medium of television. A few have operated their own transmitters, drama students have performed before the cameras, and several schools have broadcast non-credit courses for stay-at-home students. Last week in Cleveland, President John Schoff Millis of Western Reserve announced that his university was preparing an ambitious experiment. In the fall, for “the first time by any university in the country,” Western Reserve will offer by television two regular courses, carrying college credits toward a degree.

Students within range of station WEWS will be able to take three credit hours of Introductory Psychology (9 to 9:30, Mon., Wed. and Fri. mornings) and two hours of Comparative European Literature since 1914 (9 to 9:30, Tues. and Thurs.). Ambitious scholars can ask questions by mail and hear them answered in a later lecture. But painless as this program of home education may seem, the finest TV receiver on the market will not eliminate the last big hurdle. Living-room collegians will have to make at least one trip to the campus to struggle through the standard classroom version of a final exam, with no coaching from audience or M.C.