DePauw University - Mirage Yearbook (Greencastle, IN)

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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

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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 of. Political Science During the last score of years the study of the world's social position and the study of its economic problems have been taken from the exclusive possession of the advanced scholar and placed within the reach of the col- lege student. Keeping pace with this movement, the Department of Political Science at DePauw is now in a stage of growth and expansion. New courses are being added for further opportunities in general work and specialization. The expansion has made necessary a division of the present department, adding a new department to the Uni- versity, and with the opening of the coming year the Department of Sociology is to be instituted. The Depart- ment of Political Science will continue under the present director, Professor James Riley 'Weaver. It was through the efforts of Professor Weaver that the department has grown up from its infancy. By the selection of books that line the walls of the old 'iseml' in middle college, it was through the efforts of the Colonel that the inter- ested student was able to browse for a spare hour among the more popular studies of social and economic problems, or, if occasion demands, to dive into the limitless statistics of a latest government report. The Departmental Library has recently received a liberal endowment, and it is a just mark of appreciation that the donor has requested that the library be henceforth known as the 'ilames Riley lVeaver Library of Political Science. The characteristic of the department is the spirit of conservatism that accompanies the study of the vital prob- lems that present themselves. The external glamour of the new reform is thrown aside, and the basic forces are laid open in its place. The new Department of Sociology will have as its head Doctor North. Doctor North, as assistant professor, had charge of Sociology during the past year, and enlarged his branch of the department with several new courses. During the coming year still other courses will be added to the work in Sociology. Page 20