Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/579

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BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SOCIOLOGY 565

teach such a class to prepare for it by taking a correspondence course in philanthropy offered by the University of Chicago. As the importance of this work is more and more recognized, parents, in planning with their daughters the electives of a college course, will advise courses in psychology, social science, and economics as a foundation for work in philanthropy. In about a dozen colleges of the United States, some of them open to women, more or less elaborate courses are offered in the new science, which has received the somewhat formidable but intelligible name of philanthropology. The growth of intelligent interest in philanthropy will increase the number of the courses offered and the number of students taking them. As a result it will be far easier to secure well-trained teachers.

A satisfactory consideration of the subjects before the class will require a two-years' course, the class meeting once each week and the members giv- ing at least five hours of outside study for nine or ten months of the year. The outline following this paper is prepared on this basis. Lectures com- bined with seminar work would seem the most natural method of instruction. Laboratory work, /. e. t actual practice, should be introduced as far as possi- ble. This should be, however, a means to an end, not an end in itself, else the spirit of the learner is sacrificed to the zeal of the reformer.

The class might be under the auspices of a church, a charity organization society, or a club. It is important that the organization proposing it com- mand the respect of the community, and that its machinery be sufficiently elastic to adjust itself to the requirements of the class. I can imagine a club living under a constitution which would allow every member to enter any class which might be formed by the club for special study. It would not be wise to start the philanthropy class under the auspices of such a club. Care- ful provision should be made in the constitution of any club attempting to control such a class as this to prevent the social and political rights of mem- bers from interfering with the educational interests of the club. If possible t<> find a person with requisite discrimination, tact, and organizing skill, the club would do well to give her almost autocratic power in forming the class.

The plan for a philanthropy class as here stated has been adopted by the New York State Federation of Women's Clubs through its executive board, and is recommended for use by the various clubs of the state.

From its earliest days the church has been the dispenser of alms, and until within comparatively recent times the whole administration of charity was in her hands. It is natural that the new philanthropy should hear a vital relation to the developed conception of the church. Many thoughtful people feel that a true conception of the church, one growing out of the best thought and the deepest religious sentiment, is that found in an article in the September, 1896, number of the AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY, by E. M. Fairrhihl. entitled " The Function of the Church." The ideal which the article presents is called the educational rhurrh. n<l of church aims, with the same