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This course includes practical instruction in 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 maturity of mind and general mental training, an
accurate knowledge of the principles of English grammar, including
punctuation and orthography, and 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.[2]

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 Persuasive Prose. This course, based on
the Professor's notes, will be supplemented by lectures, outlines, diagrams,
etc.

Text-Books.—To be assigned at the beginning of the course.

2. Poetics.—This course, following the general outline of the textbook,
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. English Literature.—This course will consist, first, of a general
history of English literature, of which the text-book will serve as a
syllabus; then of a close study of two of Shakespeare's Plays; of the
Lyric Poetry of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries; and of the
Prose of the Eighteenth and Nineteenth. The entire course is supplemented
by class explanations, graphical representations, assigned and
suggested readings, and lectures.

Text-Books.—Pancoast's Introduction to English Literature; Carpenter's
English Lyric Poetry, 1500-1700; Craik's English Prose, Volumes IV and V;
Kent's Graphic Representations of English and American Literature.

4. Essays.—Besides the frequent written exercises five essays will be
required of each student applying for graduation in this B. A. course.
These will be due October 7, November 18, January 13, March 10,
April 28.

[2]

In this connection the earnest attention of those charged with the direction
of academics, high schools and schools of lower grade is called to the
sad and disastrous want of adequate elementary training in English, manifested
by many of their representative students.

GRADUATE COURSES.

M. A.

To this class will be admitted such students as have finished the B. A.
course here, or have had such training here or elsewhere as to warrant
the belief that they would pursue the course with profit. But, because
of the written work required in each class, the Professor strongly
advises young men not to undertake to pursue the B. A. and M. A.
courses both during the same session.

M. A. COURSE.

In this course there will be occasional lectures, but in general the
exercises of the class will be conducted by questions, conversation, and
conference. Readings will be assigned, independent investigation
insisted upon, and written reports required from time to time. The
students will be encouraged to form their own judgments and to express
them orally or in writing. References for each author, period, or subject
studied will be given, and the free use of the library in this and all
courses is cordially recommended.

COURSES HERETOFORE OFFERED.

I. Representative Writers of English Prose.
II. History of Lyric Poetry from 1560 to 1800.
III. British Essayists from Bacon to Burke.
IV. Victorian and American Poets.
V. Tennyson, the Representative Poet of the Nineteenth Century.
VI. The British Essay in the Nineteenth Century.
VII. Shakespeare, as a Dramatic Artist.
VIII. Chief English Literary Tendencies in the Nineteenth Century.

COURSES ANNOUNCED FOR 1899-1900.

VII. Shakespeare, as a Dramatic Artist.

This course, extending from September 15, to December 16, is
intended to trace the development of Shakespeare's literary powers
and to inculcate a full and reverential appreciation of his mind and
art. His Sonnets will be studied in so far as they throw light upon his
development, reveal the influences active in his work, or mark the
stages of his progress, but the main effort of the class will be directed
to a careful analysis of the dramatic structure and literary values of
the leading plays and to the comprehension and enjoyment of these
masterpieces.

Text-Books.—Lee's Life of William Shakespeare; Globe Edition of Shakespeare's
Complete Works; Kent's Shakespeare Note-Book. In addition, for
the plays studied in class single annotated volumes will be strongly recommended.

III. British Essayists from Bacon to Burke.

This course, extending from January 2, to March 10, is intended
to acquaint the student both with the subject-matter treated by the
essayists studied and with the developing form of the essays themselves.

There will be no special text-book but the essays themselves will of
course be read, in editions available in the University Library.

V. Tennyson, the Representative Poet of the Nineteenth Century.

This course, extending from March 19 to June 1, will contain a
rapid survey of English Poetry with emphasis on Eighteenth Century
Classicism; a review of Romanticism as illustrated by Cowper,
Burns, and others; and a special study of Tennyson's relation to his
century. Tennyson's poetry will be taken up chronologically but of
the longer poems only In Memoriam and The Princess will be closely
studied.

Text-Books.—The works of Tennyson; Rolfe's Edition of the In Memoriam;
Cook's Edition of The Princess.

Essays and Dissertation.—Besides the written exercises and studies
in this course there will be required two essays and a dissertation. The
essays, due October 21 and February 15, respectively, will treat some
literary themes preferably such as are suggested by the class work.
The dissertation must show independent and original investigation
of some limited theme selected with the Professor's approval. The
subject of the dissertation must be recorded by January 15, and the
dissertation itself be handed in by May 15.

PH. D.

This course will be as far as possible adapted to the needs and prospective
careers of the students desiring to pursue it. Its purposes will
be to cultivate more fully the love of letters, to encourage independent
and scholarly research, and to further the art of literary expression.
It will include the study of some writer or school of writers, or of some
period or movement of literature, and will take into consideration the
political, social, and literary characteristics of the time under discussion.

For 1899-1900 the course proposed will be an investigation of the Literary
History of the Southern States prior to 1860.