DePauw University - Mirage Yearbook (Greencastle, IN)

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Department of nglish Literature At a recent gathering of certain newspaper men of the State an editor on one of the metropolitan dailies said ttthat if DePauw University had one peculiar distinction, it was in being the classical school of the State? To this honor the Department of English Literature has contrib- uted largely. The paramount trait of this department is, no doubt, scholarlinessg it demands thorough study from its students. Eighteen courses constitute the curriculum of this De- partment of English Literature. The field of study is broad, extending from the dawn of English literature on the continent, among the half-pagan singers to modern schools of poets and novelists in both England and Amer- ica, with a survey of the reactionary influences between the two literatures. A view of the historical events and a study of the life and social conditions, with their bearing upon literature, holds au important place in the plan of study. the periods from Chaucer to Tennyson, Shakespeare receives no attention until the Senior year, when all the time is given to the study of the master and his con- temporaries. A course in the development of the novel is offered to major students. Original theses on various sub- jects are required in all courses and offer a chance for original and scholarly research work. In connection with the interpretative work of the class- room and original criticism is the supplementary reading. The large library affords ample opportunity for research and study, and many volumes of collateral are required for each course. Professor Adelbert Caldwell, who has the chair of Eng- lish Literature, is a lflarvard man. He himself is an author of some note, having published a volume of verse, and is a regular contributor to the foremost Methodist magazines. Prior to coming to De1'a uw, Professor Cald- well had the chair of English Literature at The basic course is an outline study of all periods of English literatu1'e. Of course, the work must be more or less superficial, still it gives an insight to the greatest 1naste1'pieces. This careful view is followed by the study of Illinois lVesleyan University. Miss Dade E. Shearer, who is an instructor in this department, received her degree from the Northwestern University, and has had a great deal of experience as a teacher. Page 11

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Department No single fact better illustrates the progress DePauw has been making in the past few years than the growth of the Department of Education. XVhen this department was organized three years ago it had only eight students on its roll. Now there are offered twenty courses, and during the winter term of this year 250 students regis- tered for tl1e seven courses given. The rapid growth has made it necessary to add to the teaching force of the department, and Dr. Harris, of Clarke tirniwi-my, has been employed as assistant to Prof. von Kleinsmid. By no means all of these students expect to be teachers. Doubtless only a small portion of them enter the depart- ment for professional training. They take the work solely for its cultural value, for while the courses are designed to meet the needs of those desiring technical instruction, just as much emphasis is laid upon the cultural as upon the practical value of pedagogical studies. Culture and practical training are the two ideals of the department, and they are harmonized perfectly. As DePauw is a denominational instit.ution, it. is only fair to make special mention of one course which has been introduced into the De- partment of Education this year. Prof. von Kleinsmid believes that our church schools, in planning their curricula, are not giving suffi- cient attention to specific training in religion and morals. He has, therefore, introduced a course in Religious and Moral Education in which he seeks to give his students, especially Page 10 of' Education those who expect to teach, or to enter the ministry, a more adequate idea of the importance of religion and morals in life and of the proper methods of teaching boys and girls the essentials of Christian character through the instrumentality of home, school and church. It is safe to say that the course has bee11 in the nature of a revelation to students who have taken it, and it cannot fail to exert a wholesome influence on our social life Wherever these young people go-an infiuence that will g1'ow through the years as their numbers increase. ln this particular work DePauw is a pioneer, and her patrons should, the writer believes, know something of the worthy attempt that Prof. von Kleinsmid is making. Prof. Rufus Bernhard von Kleinsmid, the head of this department, is a11 educator of note. He is a master from Northwestern University and has spent several years on the lecture platform. He has been vice-president of the Southern Indiana State Teachers' Association, the National Educational Association, and the National Geographical Society. He is very popular with the underg1'aduates, directing the Dramatic, Choral and Crlee Club efforts of the students. Dr. James dvillitllll Harris assists Professor Kleinsmid in the Education Department. He has his Doctorate of Philosophy from Clark University and has wide experience in and out of academic fields.

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Department of French French is the language of diplomacy. It is, too, the language of the comedy, the short story and the novel. But, aside from its cosmopolitan and literary value, French has a practical value. The political economist, the sociologist, the man interested in finance, can ill afford to neglect the study of the French language, for France is the home of these great sciences. The aim of the Department of French at DePauw Uni- versity is, iirst of all, to give the students a mastery of the language. The courses are planned primarily with this in view. But to accomplish this the students are necessarily led into a field of French literature, and when the people in the department have iinished Hugo's 4'Les Miserables,'l if their inclinations are such, they are capable of taking up the more technical and scientific publications or doing research work in the realm of finance. Beginners in the Department of French are started by practice in pronunciation. The phonetic script is used to aid them in acquiring proficiency in this task. They are also given simple exercises in gram- mar, and by the end of the year are translating easy French selections. This course is followed by higher composition and grammar work, and much time is given to the idioms of the lan- guage. The aim is to impart the faculty of reading. The greatest number of authors pos- sible is assigned for practice. The list includes productions from such well-known literary men as Daudet, Fartarinde, Farascon, L'Ahle, Constantin, Dumas, and others equally as well known. The student then takes up advanced composition, mak- ing a careful study of Victor Hugols ttLes Miscrablesf' '4Ruy Blasv and some selected poems. This will be fol- lowed by a study of the drama. Selections from Racine, Corneille and Moliere will be translated by the class and some effort will be made to learn the technic of their dra- matic productions. The last work required is reading and reports from the class on some phase of the history of French literature. The Department of French is in the charge of Miss Rose Francoise La item. By her mastery of the language from her thorough acade111ic training, and hcr study in France and other centers of European learning, she is eminently well fitted to preside over the department. But, in addition to her scholar- ship, Miss Laitem is a thoroughly likeable woman, and enjoys the confidence of her stu- dents to an unusual degree. She is the Dean of Women, and has a wide acquaintance among the college women. S ? Page 12