Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 8.djvu/124

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112 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

2. Systematic sociology. Professor Sumner.

3. Physical geography in its relation to history. Professor Brewer.

4. Mediaeval institutions. Professor G. B. Adams.

5. Social politics. Professor Farnam.

6. Commercial policy. Professor Emery.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA SCHOOL OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES.

In the university the departments of sociology, economics, and politics have been grouped into the School of Social Sciences, the better to enable the candidates for the doctorate to grasp the general principles underlying all social phenomena, and to form thereby a juster appreciation of the laws of the particular science to which he devotes himself. This end is obtained by such an arrangement of the courses as will enable the student to make the best possible co-ordination of the sciences taught in this school with each other and with the allied science of law as taught in the School of Law.

This grouping renders it easier to make such a co-ordination of courses as will offer the greatest advantages to students taking work in the other schools of the university, and who desire, at the same time, to secure a good grasp of the general principles of the social sciences.

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY.

REV. DR. WILLIAM J. KERBY.

At present the work in sociology is largely introductory. While the science is in the formative stage, and is the occasion of much controversy, it seems best to give to the student clear fundamental ideas and exact preparatory knowledge. It is hoped that this method will develop powers of accurate observation and classifica- tion, and that it will generate a correct sociological sense. Sociological theory is studied historically rather than critically. The lectures and research work are con- ducted in a way to reach questions of social organization and life, social history and social problems. To preserve the useful character of the work, principles will not be studied without careful and detailed application to social conditions, normal and abnormal ; and to preserve the scientific character of the courses, no sociological research, no study of social problems, will be undertaken, without the constant guid- ance of the principles involved.

COURSES OF INSTRUCTION.

I. Elements of sociology. The purpose of this course is to acquaint the student thoroughly with the terminology of the science, its fundamental concepts, the nature of society, of social phenomena, of social laws, and of social institutions, classes, etc. Two hours.

II. The social sciences, (a) Analytical study of their problems and relations to sociology. () Review of attempts to construct a complete theory of sociology. Two hours per week till completed.

III. The sociological aspects of mediaeval guilds. Two hours per week after the completion of Course II.

IV. Seminar. Hints on methods of sociological study and observation ; papers by students on selected subjects; current periodical literature and current events reviewed ; exercise in bibliography. Two hours.