University of Chicago - Cap and Gown Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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U n WILLIAM A. NITZE Professor and Head of Department, Romance Language: and Literature.: EDWARD S. AMES Profesror and Chairman, Dejzarlmerzt of Philosophy THE HUMANITIES . . PERLESVAUS . . . BALZAC . . .THE PIROVERB . . . RIGA . . Of outstanding signihcance to research workers in the field of romance lan- guages and literature were the published results of the careful investigations car- ried on under the direction of William Nitze and T. Atkinson Jenkins on the Arthurian romances. In Lancelot and Gzzenervere and in Perlesfvaus, these two scholars contributed authoritative ma- terial relating to the origin of European romantic literature showing the profound influence exerted by earlier forms. They further demonstrated the profitable use of new scientific technique in the study of literature. lt was fitting that during the year the University as possessor of one of the finest collections of firsts, and ma- terials relating to Balzac, in the world should be responsible for careful analy- sis of the more important aspects of that genius. Edwin P. Dargan in his Studies in Balzzzcfv Realism produced a piece of literary criticism of the first rank. Withiii the Department of .German- ics the chief objects of interest were likewise medieval. Phil Allen pointed the way for further research in a hither- to untouched field in his examination of The Medieval Latin Lyric. Archer Taylor published a specimen study for students specializing in folksongs and fairy tales, and a more general interpre- tive book on Tlze Proverb as a literary form. Carl Goetsch treated in detail a small piece of philological minutia cen- tering about the Low German dialect of the city records of Reval and Riga in the llfliddle Ages. Edward Ames, of the Philosophy De- partment, was particularly occupied with the philosophy of religion with special emphasis on the interpretation of mysti- cism and the reference to God. Symbol- ism, logic, and logical theory were the research fields of Professor Charles lilorris. He conducted his general work in symbolism in conjunction with Mr. Moore. At an early date, he expected to publish his new book, Six Theories of llffinfl. Page 19

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5 D 'GER'I'RUDE SMITH flsxofzatt' Professor of Greek THE HUMANITIES . . . HOMER . SALUDATO . . . CORINTH . . . expeditions working from the Black Sea to the Upper Nile. At the home Insti- tute, the tedious work of preparing the discoveries for study continued. Here, too, Edward Chiera carried on the task of compiling another great dictionary, The Babylonian-Assyrian dictionary. The Administration of Justice from Homer to Aristotle, by Professor R. J. Bonner and Miss Gertrude Smith, was the most important piece of work com- pleted by the Department of Greek in the last few years. Faced with the problem of reconciling an enormous amount of research with a slight en- dowment, the authors persevered and published their book after three years of work. Two projects of major importance in research were conducted by the Latin Department, but they will not be fin- ished until sometime in the future. Pro- fessor B. L. Ullman was abroad com- pleting his study of the works of Caluc- cio Saludato. Charles Beeson, of the Department spent last year in Rome as annual director of the American School of Classical Studies. At the same time he gathered material for his investiga- tion of the history and influence of Irish script. During the past year many members of the Art Department completed note- worthy projects. Not least among them are the first two volumes of Professor J. Pejoan's monumental work, Ifistory of Art. These volumes deal with the art of primitive peoples. Professor Franklin P. Johnson published The Sculpture of Corinth, the result of re- cent excavations in Greece conducted by the American school at Athens. Of major concern to Dr. Shapley and his Department during the year was the progress of the plans for the new art building to be built from funds given by lkiax Epstein. Although the needs of the young, growing department were pressing, construction of the building was delayed by controversy over the site. Page I8

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U D PROGRESS IN THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES -A x . HENRY GORDON GALE Dcan of the Physiral Scienre: ln the development of research tech- niques and in the uncovering of new facts and relationships University physi- cal scientists retained their leadership among educational groups in the United States. But many of these same men whose investigiations have given Chicago its World reputation turned the major share of their attention during 1931-32 to the formulation of more efficient teaching methods and organization. Thus, While some were preparing the new College courses others were carry- ing on their research in nearby labora- tories and in distant parts of the World. In famed Ryerson Physical Labora- tory members of the 'Physics Department made significant contributions to the knowledge of molecular and atomic structure. Robert S. Mtllliken was en- gaged in- the determination of the prop- erties of molecules as demonstrated by band spectra, While Samuel K. Allison attacked the same problem as related to atoms by measuring the intensity of X- rays. Artheur J. Dempster continued his prize-Winning work on the measure- ment of the Wave properties of protons. Dean Henry Gordon Gale, although mainly concerned with the administra- tive duties of co-ordinating departmental Ecximxr HALL. Page 20