DePauw University - Mirage Yearbook (Greencastle, IN)

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Department of Philosophy The ruling spirit of the Department of Philosophy is optimism. Not an hackneyed sort of optimism that the sun will shine tomorrow if it rains today, but a far-reach- ing kind a1'ising from a deep belief in humanity. In this department there is no submissive, hanging of the head in an anguished sort of way, and 44What is the use? is never uttered. Of course, the department does not escape pop- ularity. If blind students can not be made to see a 'tblack cat in a dark roomf' they do come to know the principles by which life should be guided. The course in Philosophy begins in the Sophomore year. A study of Psychology, elementary and advanced, occu- pies the first two terms of this year, and logic is given during the third term. In the Junior year the course grows out of the work of Locke and Hume, the passive mind theory, the doctrine of Emanuel Kant, who at- tempted to explain that theory, and metaphysics. These courses are designated respectively as 'tTheory of Thought, Theory of Knowledge, and Na- ture of the Wo1'ld Cause, Ethics, and History of Ancient Philosophy engage the student. Special courses in Criticism, Spencer, and Pragmatism are offered. A library of books in a handsome seminary room sup- plies the needs of the students in a reference way. The books of Professor James and Dr. Bowne occupy dignified places on these shelves. Supplementary reading is re- quired in all courses. The Department of Philosophy is the one department of the University operating under a distinct honor system. A student committee, elected each term, has charge of all examinations and cases of discipline, and directs those affairs which are strictly in the province of students. Dr. Seaman, who is at the head of this department, is a philosopher of some note. He is considered one of the best scholars who ever was graduated from the Bowne School of Philosophy at Boston, and is a DePauw man. It is the wholesome optimism of this man which pervades the department and endears him to the entire ture of Beingf' Tn the Senior year, '4The Na- P a g e 1 8 student body. ,

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Department o Mathematics Q Mathematics is the oldest of sciences. Something of Geometry must have been known byumen when they first reached that stage of civilization in which they built houses and divided the land. As a .se1ence.Geometry originated in Egypt, where the annual mundations of the Nile made a resu1'vey necessary each yea1'. The text-book in Geometry used in the high schools of today IS not so dissimilar from the Elements of Euclid, who taught at. Alexandria about the close of the fourth and the begin- ning of the third century before Christ. Thousands of years before the Christian era, Astron- on1y was studied by the priests of Egypt and Chaldea. The pyramids of Egypt are so situated, and the entrances so designed, as to make it very evident that the Egyptians at the time of their erection made fairly accurate astro- nomical observations. Of all the sciences Astronomy certainly the most sublime, and, to the popular mind, the most inscrutable. It deals with a vastness too great to be comprehended, and is a study of the work of the Creator in its greatest immensity. Astronomers are not content with weighing the planets, one against the other, but they must even discover the very elements of which they are made. Even here llltllllS desire for knowledge does not stop. He is attempting to unravel the mystery of the creation of the solar system, and far out in space he observes other universes in various stages of development. Observations are made without reward for hundreds of years, and finally some master mind is able to comprehend the mass of observations as a whole, and a great law of the universe is dis- closed. The science of Mathematics, including As- tronomy, is justly proud of its ancient and royal descent, and of its many great sons who have enriched its field by additions and discoveries. For work in Mathematics and Astronomy DePauw is espeeiall y well iitted. The Biddle Library contains all the standard books of reference necessary. The McKim Ob- servatory is provided with an excellent equatorial tele- scope of 9.53 inches aperture, the object glass of which was made by Alvin Clark and Sons. There is also a transit, chronograph, clocks for both standard and sider- cal time, and other necessary appliances for the study of Astronomy. 1 Dr. WV. V. Brown was born at Hope, New Jersey. He received his bachclor's degree from Stevens, Institute of Teclmology in 1880. He was assistant in Harvard Ob- servatory for three years, and since 1885 has been the Professor of Mathematics in DePauw University. In 1888 he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Stevens, Institute. Dr, Brown is well liked by the stu- dents of his department. VVork is given in surveying each summer, and the regular courses include Algebra, Analytical Geometry, Calculus, Mechanics and Descrip- tive Geometry. A full course in Mechanical Drawing is also offered. The work is thus of a practical value and students desiring a tech- nical education can obtain advanced credits in their desired work, and at the same time acquire a liberal education. Assistant Pro- fessor Eugene Taylor has charge of the first year's work in Mathematics. He received the degree of A.B. at DePauw University in 1907, and will receive his Masterls degree this spring. Page 17

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epartment of' Public Speaking Public speaking as taught at DePauw is an art. It is not claimed that all who take the courses in public speak- ing will become great orators or debaters, but as the work in the art school helps to develop and refine the talents of a painter, or as practice in the School of Music aids in perfecting the abilities of the future musician, so does study in the Department of Debate and Oratory assist the man or woman whose future life will be spent on the platform, in the pulpit, or before the bar. The course in public speaking is planned especially for those who contemplate entering those professions.. The work to be had is i11 no sense of the word instruction in elocution. Rather, the student learns, so far as he can be taught, those essentials that make successful and practical lecturers, ministers or advocates. But, while of especial value to those particular professions, it is contended that no student can afford to neglect taking some work in pub- lic speaking. Everyone, whatever his occupation, is obliged occasionally to give public addresses. The depart- ment strives to give such students knowledge that will enable them to appear at ease, to maintain poise, and that will acquaint them with the etiquette of public A speaking. - - l For the students who intend to enter public life three years, instruction may be had. The first year can be devoted to the study of debate or argumentation. Various arguments and fal- lacies are brought to the attention of the stu- dent, and he is obliged to demonstrate their value in practical debate work. This work treats primarily of the intellectuality, and per- suasion is counted of less value than logic. The second year's work is primarily a study of persuasive processes. This work is divided into the logic, the psychology and the sociology of oratory. A model form for the oration is discovered, the psycholog- ical principles with which it deals are revealed, and the effects for which tl1e orator should strive are made known. The last year is given to critical interpretation of the oratorical masterpieces. Corresponding to the terms, this work is divided into ancient oratory, British oratory, and American oratory, Since public speaking is an art, it is considered that it can only be acquired by practice. Hence the student is obliged to write many orations and debates and do a pre- scribed amount of platform work. The value of this is proven by the high rank accorded to DePauw in oratory and the many eminent orators found in all walks of life that received their collegiate degrees from DePauw University. Professor Harry B. Gough, who is in charge of this department, was born in Newport, Kentucky. His boy- hood was spent in Newport, Georgetown, and Verona, and among the mountain folk of the southern commonwealth. The Professor received his preparatory training at Illi- nois IVesleyan University and in the Academy of North- western University, and was graduated from the College of Liberal Arts of the latter uni- versity in 1900. VVhile in college he devoted himself to the study of oratory and literature and won the distinction in both lines of work. Upon graduation, Professor Gough spent a short time traveling with Bishop Joseph C. Hartzell. In February, 1901, he accepted a call from the Central Illinois Conference, and in September of the same year he was elected president of Hedding College. He served in this capacity for tive years, resigning June 15. 1907, to accept the chair of Public Speaking at DePauw University. Page 19