AMERICA TO-DAY
standard of erudition. At the same time there can be no doubt that the immense width of the field covered by university teaching in America must, in some measure, make for "superficial omniscience" rather than for concentration and research. The truth probably is that the system cuts both ways. The average student seeks and finds general culture in his university course, while the born specialist is enabled to go straight to the study he most affects and concentrate upon it.
To exemplify the latitude of choice offered to the American student, let me give a list of the "courses" in English and Literature at Columbia University, New York, extracted from the Calendar for 1898–99:
RHETORIC AND ENGLISH COMPOSITION
COURSES
1. English Composition. Lectures, daily themes, and fortnightly essays. Professor G. R. Carpenter. Three hours[1] first half-year.
2. English Composition. Essays, lectures, and discussions in regard to style. Professor G. R. Carpenter. Three hours, second half-year.
3. English Composition, Advanced Course. Essays, lectures, and consultations. Dr. Odell. Two hours.}}
4. Elocution. Lectures and Exercises. Mr. Putnam. Two hours.
[5. The Art of English Versification. Professor Brander Matthews. Not given in 1898–9.]
6. Argumentative Composition. Lectures, briefs, essays, and oral discussions. Mr. Brodt. Three hours.
- ↑ That is, three hours a week; so, too, in all subsequent instances.
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