EDUCATING FRESHMEN

The New York University News has published a sort of intercollegiate Educational platform complied by the editors of several college papers. Many of the "planks", as the New Republic points out, deal with extra-curriculum activities, but there is some little discussion of "passivities", the courses offered in universities today. Princeton calls for more humanities. Yale demands that we avoid the "cultural blight which follows in the train or economics and other such studies". Amherst, however, disagrees; and asks for a conscious effort to face the social, political and economic problems of reconstruction. Plainly studies are receiving undergraduate attention.

But the particular question which is attracting notice at present is the courses required for Freshman consumption. Yale, with the entering class of "Ac" and "Sheff" united into one group under one dean, has found "inspirational courses" very successful. that means a division into small groups under the best professors in order that the ex-school boy may appreciate in his first year the opportunities offered by the University.

A New York College also has arraigned the traditional courses, seeking to avoid the present custom which makes the first and even second years of college mere continuations of preparatory school. In place of "courses of elementary grade" it requests broader subjects whose purpose is to "orient the student in adult thought." A course in the History of Mankind which should show his environment; a course in Human biology and psychology; a third in mathematical analysis; Literature taught as an aspect of life, and the inevitable technique of expression; such is the suggested plan for Freshmen.

This schedule, however, is rather difficult, and it is doubtful if the present preparatory school graduate would be equipped mentally to handle it. Whatever is said of colleges, schools where all the emphasis is said on College Board Examinations do not teach thinking, and many a Freshman would be at a loss, when confronted with five subjects like those suggested.

Nonetheless there is a need for some change. Far too many lose two years finding their way to classes and some go through college without finding it at all. Perhaps Yale's method is the right one or, as is new planned here, a rejuvenated English A. in any case there is a wide opportunity for reform in this direction.