 | The University of Virginia record April, 1909 |  |
ENGLISH.
Professor McBryde.
Professor Mims.
Professor Reade.
The courses in English are designed to meet the needs of the following
groups of students: Present or prospective high school teachers;
professional or technical students who have entered upon their
professional courses and found that their training in English is so
defective as to interfere with their prospects of success in their chosen
profession; students preparing for college entrance examinations;
students conditioned on their entrance examinations or in their college
courses at other institutions; college professors and instructors who
may be especially interested in methods of teaching English.
1. English Grammar and Composition.—Talks on English grammar
and composition, designed especially for high school teachers.
No subjects in the high school curriculum are more unsettled than
those of grammar and composition, both being in a transitive stage.
The multiplication of high schools in the South has called attention
afresh to the importance of English but there is still little uniformity
in methods or standards. The members of the class are requested to
bring with them any English grammars that they may be using.
Daily, from 2:30 to 3:30. Professor McBryde. Cabell Hall,
Room 4.
Text-Book.—Smith's Our Language, and Studies in English Syntax.
2. Rhetoric and Composition.—The purpose of this course will
be three-fold: First, to master as far as possible the subject matter
of the text-book, and in doing this to emphasize particularly accuracy
and correctness in writing; second, to indicate the best methods of
teaching this subject in the schools, so as to interest the pupils and
induce them to take advantage of local material and opportunities;
third, to encourage among teachers and pupils alike good reading
both for its own sake and specifically for the sake of mental discipline.
There will be daily original exercises.
Daily, from 8:30 to 9:30. Professor McBryde. Cabell Hall,
Room 4.
Text-Book.—Thomas and Howe's Composition and Rhetoric (Long-mans.
Green and Co.) and Woodley's Handbook of Composition
(Heath).
3. English Literature.—A general survey of the history of English
literature from Milton and Tennyson. Special emphasis will be
laid upon the writings that are adapted to high school work and more
specifically college entrance requirements. An attempt will be made
to give suggestions for future work in all the periods.
Daily, from 9:30 to 10:30. Professor Reade. Cabell Hall, Room 4.
Text-Books.—Any edition of the classics mentioned above; any
good history of English literature (preferably Pancoast's), and Manly's
English Poetry.
4. American Literature.—A study of the lives and writings of the
principal authors from Washington Irving to Sidney Lanier. A consideration
of the various aspects of American life as they have found
expression in literature. Special attention will be given to the literature
of New England and of the South.
Daily, from 10:30 to 11:30. Professor Mims. Cabell Hall,
Room 4.
Text-Books.—Pancoast's Introduction to American Literature and
Page's Chief American Poets (Houghton, Mifflin & Co.).
5. Southern Literature.—A general survey of intellectual and social
conditions in the South before and since the Civil War, as these have
hindered or promoted Southern literature. Stress will be laid on the
poetry of Poe and Lanier and on the fiction of the writers since the
War. Students will be required to do research work in neglected fields
of literary history, such as the history of Southern magazines, the
development of short stories, and dialect as an element in literature.
This course is intended for those who have graduated at
some standard college.
Daily, from 12:15 to 1:15. Professor Mims. Cabell Hall, Room 4.
Text-Books.—Trent's Southern Writers, and Baskerville's Southern
Writers (vol. I.).
6. Expression.—In view of the larger requirements of the English
Art of Expressio comes a matter of vital interest to teachers of
literature, for it is only through a knowledge of this art that the best
results can be obtained. Two things should be required of teachers
of English: First, that they should be free from the common faults
of speech; and second, that they should possess the power of sympathetic
interpretation. To these two ends the work of this department
is addressed.
Instruction in Elocution is twofold in its nature; on its negative
side, it aims to correct faults which would detract from an otherwise
good rendition of the masterpieces of literature; while on its positive
side it endeavors to bring out individual talent and to inspire
such sympathy with the text as may result in a simple, natural and
effective reading. Above all things, the aim of any course in public
speaking should be to develop the personality of the student, not to
make him a mere imitator.
In the course proposed it is the intention of the instructor to give
the students such things as may be of practical value to them, not to
burden them with mere rules and theory.
It need hardly be pointed out that this course is not intended for
teachers of literature only. Anyone who expects in his life work to
make large use of the voice will find the course helpful.
The hour's lesson will be divided into two parts. There will be
first a lecture on some phase of the subject (with illustrative readings),
which will be followed by individual and class exercises bearing upon
the matter under discussion. Assignments will be made each day of
selections to be studied which will be read or recited by members of
the class. This will be followed by criticisms from the instructor.
The lectures will deal with such subjects as thought-reading, emphasis,
breaking, articulation, phonetics, expression, reading of poetry,
quality, pitch, force, time, the tunes of speech, gesture, dialogue,
dramatic reading, and impersonation.
Students who intend to take the work in American and English
Literature are especially urged to avail themselves of the opportunities
afforded by this course.
Members of the class are requested to provide themselves with
note-books.
Daily, from 3:30 to 4:30. Professor Reade. Cabell Hall, Room 4.
Text-Book.—Shoemaker's Practical Elocution. The following are
recommended for reference: Murdoch-Russell's Vocal Culture; Kofler's
Art of Breaking; Lanier's Science of English Verse.
Credit.—Any student who fulfills the conditions set forth, pages
14 and 15, and who completes successfully the first four courses in English
outlined above, will be credited with course A in English Literature.
Those who have completed the entire six courses may arrange
for relative credit with the professor of English at the
University.
| The University of Virginia record April, 1909 | |