The University Courier.
275
Courses also are given on the Greek in English, aiming to make the English words derived from the Greek comprehensible to the ordinary English reader or the student of natural science; the History of Greek literature for English readers, opening a large part of the contents and value of Greek literature to those who have not the time or desire to learn the language; the History of both the Greek and Latin drama, for the same class of students; Roman law, for the especial benefit of future lawyers; a teachers' training course in Latin composition and colloquial use of the language; and the Latin used in Pharmacy.
The Greek department offers also University Extension courses on Greek literature for English readers, Greek art, and a short course on Greek architecture and sculpture; and the Latin department, a course on Roman poetry.
The Greek Symposium unites all Greek students in a fortnightly class in listening to lectures, essays, or reading of subjects of more general interest than special class-work, or of such a character as to need a larger amount of illustrative material than is available in the class-room. The subjects treated range over the whole field of language, literature, art, life, institutions and history of the Greeks, from the earliest times down to the present day, together with their influence on other peoples.
THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH.
The work of the department of English is under three instructors, and affords opportunity for four years of training. The aim of the instruction is to give the student a clear understanding and a full appreciation of the English language and its literature; and thus to lay the foundation for any further special work he may wish to undertake.
On entering the University, the student finds open to him at once a thorough course in the fundamental principles of English composition, with only so much theory as is necessary to the doing of the practical work. And in this practical work, it is not so much detached sentences
of incorrect English that receive criticism, as short themes and stories which illustrate the actual occurrence of errors in speech and writing,—errors that are such not only in themselves, but also, and especially, in relation to the rest of the theme or story. This study occupies the whole first term of the student's course.
The second term of the Freshman year gives our student a chance to study the history and development of English Literature, from its beginning to the close of the Elizabethan age, and aims to prepare him for an appreciative study of literature; and he is required to read such works in our early authors as will help to arouse interest and develop the power of independent study; he is required, also, to write brief abstracts and criticisms upon the works read. Frequent lectures are given which aim at furnishing the proper social and political "setting" for the literature of each period.
This course, which occupies a little less than half a term, is followed in the second term of the Sophomore year by a similar course in the English Literature of the Eighteenth Century. A great deal of the literature itself is read in connection with the study of its history and development. This course and the courses following are entirely optional, and deal with special periods in the development of our language and literature.
In the "sub-department" of Rhetoric and English Language the student may elect, subject to certain restrictions as to number, any of the following courses:
(1) . A course in Anglo-Saxon; including readings from Anglo-Saxon literature and a study of comparative philology.
(2) . A course in Middle English; with selected readings from authors of the middle period, especially from Chaucer. Attention here also is given to the history and derivation of words.
(3) . A course in Advanced English Composition, in which the student follows into higher work the lines of investigation begun in the English composition of his Freshman year,
nber o ular le artmennbued anger to knowle nave hation o mainin pular institut as it s y men in his