CANDIDATES IN THE CLASSICS

The publication of the guide for reading required of men concentrating in Ancient and Modern Languages has brought home to many of those concerned the realization that their knowledge of the world's great literature is highly superficial. The need of a plan for broadening the scope of the regular college course has been clearly shown by the almost universal bewilderment on the part of the men suddenly confronted with this new plan.

Except for a bibliography of the necessary reading, the pamphlet suggests no method of procedure. Consultation with the student's advisor is directed, but the average Junior or Sophomore has learned through unfortunate experience that the men to be consulted, although eager to assist, are already overburdened. As a substitute and feeling the need of aid, he seeks a course that will help in his work, and finds that except for intensive studies of individual authors, or very broad Comparative Literature outlines, nothing is available. Men who must work in the Classics are further hindered by the lack of courses in which the works are treated in English translation.

It would seem advisable for the faculty to establish a course similar to History A, open only to Seniors preparing for the divisional examinations, covering in one half-year the required books of the ancients; in the other, the prescribed works of the great modern authors. Lectures by professors, authorities in the literature of the various ages under discussion, would give the student a more comprehensive grasp of the true significance of the books they were reading. In any case, the present system is unsatisfactory, and, unless some action is taken to lessen the general indefinite feeling about the new requirements, the plan that should prove an aid to a truly broad education, will become nothing more than an additional obstacle in the path to a degree.