DePauw University - Mirage Yearbook (Greencastle, IN)

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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

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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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Deipartmen In the university world of shadowy ideals it is a note- worthy fact that the German Department deems its ideal a thing to make real. The prosaic phrase, '4The German I-Iouse,', contains this ideal. True, the abstraction has not yet become concrete, yet there is not a Freshman in the department, even though he is still struggling with the alphabet, who has not heard of 44The German House-3' idea. This is the plan: Built on the campus, its red tile roof, the dormer windows and overhanging balconies will make it decidedly German in appearance and set it in marked contrast with the other buildings. The Doric strength and beauty of its lines will be in harmony with the elegance within. The library will occupy, of course, a prominent place, for already the Bence Library is a large beginning. Then the auditorium will occupy the second floor, an auditorilun with a stage upon which '4Die Jungfraun and 4iEmilia Galottin may be enacted. This is not all. There will be a club-room and a dining-room for das Kaffeeklatsehen. This, in the rough, is The German Housew idea, and at present it merely symbolizes the spirit of the department. It is, in truth, a ufi01'll12l-117, department-Gerl man i11 ideals and tendencies, as though a Ger- man gymnasium had become a part of DePauw University. And it finds favor in the eyes of the students. Every summer students of this department tramp through Germany, only to return better pleased with their Work here. 1: of German Every fall 150 students enter the beginning course, and it is but a comparative short time before they, too, become imbued with the German spirit. The whole de- partment fosters this tendency. The German Club, Das Deutsche Bund, contributes to it, and, of course, the eur- riculum tends to make for the German spirit. The perusal of Storm's 'tImmensee,,' the study of Schiller and Lessing, familiarity with Goethe, and finally, the supplementary study of the modern school, brings the student into a comparatively wide knowledge of not only German liter- ature, but German life and customs, German ideals, and, best of all, the lofty and austere German character. I-Ierr Professor Harry B. Longdon, who is at the head of the German Department, has been teaching German for many years. To him belongs '4The German House idea. He studied for some time at a German university, is a member of the Goethe Gesellschaft, and is above all else a DePauw man. It is significant that the ma- jority of the great DePauw men of the last gen- eration have come under the influence of Pro- fessor Longdonas personality. It is noteworthy that the students of this de- partment receive the rudiments of the language under Associate Professor Minna M. Kern. Miss Kern has lately published a little volume, 'tGerman Stories Retoldf' which reveals her genius as a teacher and her noble woman- hood. Paige 13