Widener University - Pioneer Yearbook (Chester, PA)

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underlying the development of all nations. In addition, special appointments of a literary character constitute a weekly exercise throughout the year. In the Spring and Fall Terms, respectively, of the Third and Second Class years fall coursesb, daily recitations are required in American and English Literature, whereby is secured a more thorough acquaintance with the historical settings of the classic writers of both countries. In con- nection with the recitation work in Literature, very consid- erable writing of themes is appointed, in order to give the student practice in composition while he is specifically engaged in the study of these authors and their Works. Essays and written exercises are required from all Fourth classmen, and all cadets in the Third Class prepare both essays and declamations-the latter for the Pollock Prize Contest in the Spring Term. Each member of the Second Class prepares an oration for the College Prize Con- test in the Fall Term, and an essay for the public exercises of the class in the Winter Term. Each member of the First Class prepares a technical essay for a public exercise in the Fall Term, delivers an oration in public during the Winter Term, and, at graduation, either delivers an oration or read S a technical paper, as may be ordered by the President. Cadets receive individual training for all public exer- cises. All classes devote Friday evening either to readings in classics, essay writing, debate, extempore speaking, or such other literary work as the President designates. LANGUAGES In each of the Technical Courses, five recitations weekly are assigned, for the first three years, to either French, Ger- man, or Latin, so that the cadet, in addition to a study of the grammar of the language, reads several French authors, or devotes an equivalent amount of time to either German or Latin. The work in Greek and Latin appointed for students in Classics is referred to at length in the section descriptive of the Course in Arts. I6

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Collegiate Department li N THE Collegiate Department, there are conducted three courses of study: the Crvrr. ENGINEERING, the CHEMICAL, and the ACADEMIC. Each course , ' L ' I extends through four years, and in it a cadet may graduate and take a degree. Masters' degrees are secured under the conditions set forth in the section relating thereto. Special courses of study are not allowed, but every assistance is given the student that has the ability and the purpose to make more rapid progress or do more work than is required by the curriculum. If in special examination the cadet evidence sufficient knowledge of any branch about to be pursued by his class, he may select a substitute for it from among the studies appointed for the class next in advance, provided such study is scheduled for instruction at the time, or if desirous solely to carry an extra, such as an additional language, 'he may make such selection, conditioned upon its not interfering with his regular class-work. The institution reserves theright to determine during the session the text book that is to be used in the teaching of any appointed branch of study. Previous to each vacation, there is an examination in the studies pursued during the current part of the session. KQV ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE The aim of this department of scholastic work is to secure to the student a command of good English. Its appointments extend throughout all courses of study, with an assignment for every term. During the Fall and Winter Terms of the Fourth Class year, five hours weekly are given to instruction in Rhetoric, the purpose of which is not only to train the student in the elements of composition, but also to make him master of a clear and vigorous style of expression. In the Spring Term, by a course in General History, tive recitations weekly, atten- tion is given to the literary, social and political principles I5

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GOVERNMENTAL AND POLITICAL SCIENCE Throughout the Spring Term of the Second Class year fall coursesj, daily recitations are required in the study of Government. The rise of the governmental idea, and its development in nations, ancient and modern, are critically examined, with particular reference to the extension of Roman law and the growth of Anglo-Saxon constitutions and institutions. Throughout the entire Second and First Class years, one hour a week is devoted to carefully prepared discussions upon topics of interest in Political Science and Modern History. Thus the art of public address is developed, while the student becomes an original investigator in these fields. . PHYSICS During the Fall and Winter Terms, five recitations weekly, one hour each, are made in General Physics by the Third Class fall coursesj, while an additional hour weekly is appointed for either an experimental lecture or other spe- c1al work in this branch. The object is to impart to the student such knowledge as will enable him to comprehend natural phenomena and their causes, problems and original questions are propounded, to impress him with the laws that govern in this department of science, and to train him in the methods of thought employed. GENERAL CHEMISTRY The Third Class fall coursesj begins the study of Gen- eral Chemistry after the completion of Physics in the Winter Term. Daily recitations, one hour each, are heard, and weekly lectures given, of which accurate and complete notes are required. Each student performs sufhcient practical work to acquaint him with the construction and use of experimental apparatus, and also to enable him personally to test the general properties and behavior of the most impor- tant elements and reagents, a report being required of each experiment and the results. ' I7