B. A. COURSE.
This course includes practical instruction in prose and poetic composition and
in the critical analysis of prose and poetry, but its general aim, held steadfastly in
view, is literary. The double purpose of the course is: first, to aid the student in
learning the principles of good writing and in acquiring by practice the power of
expressing himself correctly and clearly, if not with facility and literary finish;
second, to raise the standard of reading by cultivating the student's literary taste
and by interesting him in the splendid achievements of English and American
literature.
In order to pursue this course with full profit the student should have, in addition
to a certain maturity of mind and general mental training, an accurate
knowledge of the principles of English grammar, including punctuation and
orthography, and some familiarity with the foundations of rhetoric. Previous
practice in composition is well nigh essential to the successful prosecution of the
work of this class, while general information as to the history and contents of
English and American literature will add materially to the student's appreciation
of the lectures.[1]
This B. A. course includes:
1. Rhetoric.—This will comprise a rapid review of the principles of style as
illustrated by the Sentence and the Paragraph, and a careful study of invention
in prose discourse. There will be frequent written and blackboard exercises, and
particular attention will be given to the critical analysis of selected specimens of
Descriptive, Narrative, Expository, Argumentative, and Persua-ive Prose. This
course, based on Genung's Rhetoric, will be supplemented by lectures, outlines,
diagrams.
Text-Books.—Genung's Rhetoric; Prose Specimens to be selected.
2. Poetics.—This course, following the general outline of the text-book, will
comprise the mechanism of verse, the artistic elements of poetry, history of important
verse forms, poetic style, kinds of poetry, etc.
Class exercises in the analysis of poems, in the composition of verse, and in
recognition of forms, etc., will be assigned from time to time.
Text-Book.—Kent's Study of Poetry (in preparation).
3. American Literature.—This course will consist, first, of a general history
of American literature, of which the text-book will serve as a syllabus; then, of
a closer study of the poets of America, with special studies of Southern poets.
This entire course, consisting of daily examinations, class explanations, graphical
representations, assigned readings, lectures, etc., presupposes some knowledge of
English literature, to which constant references will be made.
Text-Books.—Pancoast's Introduction to American Literature; Stedman's Poets
of America; Kent's Graphical Representations of English and American Literature-
Reference: Pancoast's Introduction to English Literature.
4. Essays.—Besides the frequent written exercises, four essays will be required
of each student applying for graduation in this B. A. Course. These will be due
October 15, December 10, March 11, May 6.
