Morningside College - Sioux Yearbook (Sioux City, IA)

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Rlcvmxula G1ucvNA1.n, A, M, Department of French The department of French Language and Literature is one of the strong departments of the school, including at present about one hundred students. Prof. R. ll. Greynald, the head of the department, has held that position since the year 1896, succeeding llliss Marion Stover, the professor of French in the old University of the Northwest. During the year 1896 there were but three students in the first year class, and one in, the second year, the classes reciting three times a week. Under the able leadership of Prof. Greynald, the depart- ment has been built up to its present high standard. The text-book used at first was Chardenal's Complete French Course, but later Longman's French Grammer was substituted, which is now in use, it being but a two years' course, thus better meeting the needs of the students, as many of them take only two years of French. and some only one. The grammar course is intersperced with readings from prominent French authors, the selection of which varies from year to year. Three years of French are offered to students, besides a course in scientific French for those wishing to pursue special work along that line. As a rule, students are able to read prose Hnently at the end of the first year: but it requires fully two years of study to learn to speak the language. Pupils who limit their knowledge of French to one year's study cannot expect to reap much benefit from it, although they can master the language well enough to read it tluently, and to be admitted to the higher Universities. In this respect, the year 1907-1908 promises to be among the best, for at the end of the first semester, many of the first year students were able to understand spoken French.

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Department Of Greek The chief aim of this department is to develop in the student an appreciation of the various expressions of the Greek genius as found in the Greek literature, philosophy and art. Wlpile an accurate knowledge of the language is regarded as fundamental to all Hellenic study, an effort is made to emphasize those features which contribute most to the development of modern culture and civilization. Since so few high schools offer Greek, an opportunity is given those who wish knowledge of the subject, to begin it in college. The courses are so ar- ranged by the time the student has completed four years of Greek he has been int1'oduced to each of the different phases of Greek literature. In the advanced courses the work is more intensive. A year is devoted to the study of Demos- thenes' speech, On the Crown, and to the reading of some of Plato's shorter dialogues. A year is devoted to the study of the Greek drama, representative plays of each of the great dramatists of the classical period being read. A two-hour course throughout the year is given in the Greek testament. This presupposes the ability to read easy prose, and an effort is made to read rapidly large parts of the Gospels, the Acts, and parts of the Epistles of Paul. VVhile intended, primarily for prospective ministers it will be helpful to anyone who wishes to read the Greek Scriptures in the original. ' l For some time there has been a demand for a course in the Greek drama HENIQX' Fiuaulzklcic TqAN'l'IIl.liNlERA, A. M. which does not require a knowledge of the Greek language. Next year there will be offered a semester course having for its object the study of the Greek drama through the English translations. A special emphasis will be laid on the history of the Greek drama and its in- fluence on the modern drama. There will also be given next year for the first time an elementary course, during the second semester, on Greek art. The purpose of the course will be to call the attention to the spirit and the principles of Greek art and to acquaint the student with the great masterpieces of Hellenic art, still extant. The Greek temple will be studied .in detail. A brief survey will also be given of painting and the lesser arts among the Greeks. Greek is entirely elective. Five years' work, including the elementary work, is required for the completion of a major.

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Department of Mathematics - V In a great many ways the departments of mathematics of all colleges are ' similar. In fact we could say that all departments of mathematics both in colleges and universities are in several ways alike. The subject matter may be taught differently but it is always the same matter that is taught. The absolute necessities in acquiring mathematical knowledge anywhere is something to study and time to study it, the presence of a teacher is for the pur- pose of guiding the student and making greater progress possible. Thus it is easy to see that all departments of mathematics must have a room provided with seats, table and blackboard. VVhere departments can differ is in the character of the instruction, library and geometrical figures. Room 109 in Morningside college is at present mathematical headquarters, and like all the other rooms is a fine place in an excellent building. The room is not sufficient however, and other rooms are being constantly used. The depart- ment has just recently purchased about seventy-tive volumes of the best reference hooks in mathematics that exist. This is a great step in advance, for now it is possible for a student who majors in mathematics to have access to the same books that he would have if he was attending any of our leading universities. This in- cludes not only texts on pure mathematics but in applied mathematics as well. It is unnecessary to state that this library is perfectly modern in every particular. The number of major students in the mathematical departments of all schools is small in comparison to the number in the gthef departnqentg, This is because a very small per cent. of students have a natural liking for the subject. I All of the students who have graduated in the department have made marked success. Mr.. Ralph E. Root is now 'a member of the faculty of Iowa State University and Miss Martha Macdonald holds a scholarship for the comingnyear the same place. At present there is one major student in the department, Miss l3ridenbaugh, -who will graduate in OQ,' But everything indicates that with the facilities we now have the number of major students will greatly increase. ROBERT VAN Houma, PII. B.