INSTRUCTION
The course of study is not arranged with a view to early specialization, but with the purpose of promoting symmetrical intellectual development. It is believed that specialization, if begun too early, frustrates this end, that it belongs more properly to graduate study, and is more satisfactory and fruitful when a broad foundation of liberal culture has first been laid. Nevertheless the possibility of subsequent specialization is not ifnored; a student may pursue a single subject or a group of related subjects in parallel couses and through consecutive years and so lay the basis for a specialist's knowledge after the completion of her undergraduate work.
Length of Course
The studies required for the degree of Bachelor of Arts are distributed through four years, but a longer time may be taken by students who need it on account of youth or feeble health or for other particular reasons. Students of mature age, vigorous health, superior application and unusual gifts may occasionally complete their studies in less time, but experience has demonstrated that the ambitious attempt to do this is usually attended by either impaired health or imperfect work; sometimes by both. No artificial obstacle will be thrown in the way of the rapid progress of gifted and industrious students, but it will be insisted that strict regard be paid to health and that work be thoroughly done. As a rule from fifteen to seventeen hours of class work a week is all that should be attempted. If a student desires to take more than this she must obtain the consent of the Board of Control.
The Course of Study
The course combines required and elective studies in nearly equal proportins. Required studies must usually be taken at a definite stage of the course. Electives should not be capriciously chosen, but should be grouped with each other and with the required subjects in such a way as to constitute a consistent course. Every group must include a subject to be pursued throughout two years, consecutively, if possible, in courses of four hours a week. This subject is known as the student's major. Two majors may be taken if desired. The student's particular course will receive its characterization from the major or majors which it includes.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF ARTS
The degree of Bachelor of Arts is conferred upon students who have satisfactorily completed the studies of any group. Candidates for this degree will not be accepted for less than a year, or for less than fifteen hours work, or, if for that amount only, for work of a lower grade than is designated for major courses.
1. Latin or Greek. In her first year the student will be required to pursue, as she may elect, either course 1 in Latin, or course 6 in Greek.
2. French and German. A good reading knowledge of these two langugages such as might be expected from a student who has either fulfilled the requirements for admission, or taken course 10, or 20. When one of these courses is to be taken, it will usually come in the second year. They may be offered on entrance and, when satisfactory examinations are passed upon them, a credit of four hours for both will be given.
3. Rhetoric and English literature. Course 30 to be taken in the first year.
4.Solid geometry and plane trigonometry as described under course 40, to be taken in the first year. This course may be offered for examination on entrance; it will be accepted on certificate only when the conditions under which the applicant has accomplished it during her preparation have been exceptionally favorable. Whenever so offered and accepted the student will be exempted from repeating it, but it will not be counted in her work for the degree.
5. Physics, course 50, and chemistry, course 60, to be taken, usually, in the second year. Students who have had, during their preparation, courses equivalent to both these, upon furnishing acceptable evidence of the fact, may be exempted from taking them; but they will not, in such case, be counted in the work for the degree, and the students so exempted will be required to include in their groups one of the courses numbered 51, 61, 71.
6. Anatomy, physiology, and hygiene. Course 75, to be taken, usually, in the second year.
7. History. Course 80, to be taken in the first or second year. This course, or, instead, a course comprehending what is contained in Myer's General History, may be offered for examination on entrance and may, under suitable conditions, be accepted on certificate. Whenever so offered and accepted, the student will be exempted from repeating it, but it will not be counted in her work for the degree, and she will be required to include a history course in her group.
8. Bible. Literary and historical study of selected portions of the Bible in English, course 95, to be taken in the second or third year.
9. Psychology, ethics and the history of philosophy, course 91, to be taken in the fourth year.
10. Elective courses sufficient to bring the total work of the student to about fifteen hours a week for four years of thirty-two weeks.
11. Physical training. Throughout the four years the student is expected to take the regular course in physical training. Only under circumstances which would clearly render such a requirement injudicious will a candidate for the degree be passed to graduation in the absence of a satisfactory report upon it.
The following table may serve to simplify the above statement:
| COURSE | SUBJECT | HOURS | YEAR | REMARKS |
| 1 | Latin | 3 | First | Alternatives |
| 6 | Greek | 3 | First | Alternatives |
| 10 | French | 4 | Second | May be offered on entrance and counted.* |
| 20 | German | 4 | Second | May be offered on entrance and counted.* |
| 30 | Rhetoric and English Literature | 4 | First | |
| 40 | Solid geometry and plane trigonometry | 3 | First | May be offered on entrance, but not counted. |
| 50 | Physics | 3 | Second | Each one term; both required. May be offered on entrance but not counted. |
| 60 | Chemistry | 3 | Second | Each one term; both required. May be offered on entrance but not counted. |
| 75 | Anatomy, &c | 3 | Second | |
| 80 | History | 3 | First or Second | May be offered on entrance but not counted. |
| 91 | Philosophy | 4 | Fourth | |
| 95 | Bible | 2 | Second or Third | |
| Electives | 31 | | |
| TOTAL | 60 | | |
*Students who enter with Greek as second language and are obliged to take both French and German as third and fourth languages, may take one as an elective.
Grouping
In exceptional instances it may be desirable to pursue a chosen subject through more than two elective courses. By careful arrangement og the work from the first this may be readily done. Students who elect the natural sciences may group their courses so as to obtain two consecutive courses in each of two subjects, or two courses in one subject and one course in each of two others. A group known as the Preliminary Medical Group, is arranged with special reference to the requirements for admission to the School of Medicine of the Johns Hopkins University. It corresponds closely with the group offered undergraduate classes of that university and is approved by the faculty of the medical school. Students who are graduated after completing this group are assured of admission to that school.
Drawing
A course in drawing is offered all students, and they are advised to avail themselves of it. Students who are intending to apply themselves to the natural sciences will find this course especially profitable.
Students are not accepted for special work in art and music, but instruction of the highest character is provided for any who wish to add these pursuits to their academic work. It is impossible, however, for a student to pursue the regular academic course in any group and at the same time devote very much attention to either of these subjects. One hour a day, in addition to the instructin periods (two a week), is all that will be allowed students who are carrying as much as fifteen hours of class work. In many instances even this will prove too exacting, and the student who attempts it will often find herself necessitated to abandon some of her work early in the year. On this account it is advised that those who desire to give particular attention to music or art and yet obtain the degree, divide their work among five years instead of four. This arrangement should permit them to do justice to all departments of their work, and to accomplish the ends they have in view without injury to health.
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Last Updated 9/24/99.
Copyright 1999.