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Literary and Scientific Schools:
I.—LATIN.
PROFESSOR HARRISON.
The subjects of instruction are the Latin Language and the
Roman History and Literature. It is endeavored to make the
practical study of the language more thorough and more profitable,
by connecting it with the scientific investigation of the doctrines
of the grammar and of the etymology. The latter involves
a regard to comparative etymology.
To the Roman History and Literature, with the related subjects,
so much attention is given as is found to be compatible
with the duty, more urgent as yet, of meeting the actual wants
of students in regard to the practical knowledge of the language,
and to a just theory of it. They occupy, however, as
heretofore they have done, one-third of the time allotted to the
Senior Class.
Text Books.—In the Junior Class: Zumpt's Latin Grammar,
the Professor's Exposition, Arnold's Latin Prose Composition,
Virgil, Horace, Terence, Cæsar's Commentarii, Cicero's Orations,
and his Epistolæ ad Diversos, (Familiares,) Freund's Lexicon,
abridged by Andrews, and Riddle's English Latin Lexicon.
In the Senior Class: the same Grammar and Lexicons, the
Professor's Exposition, Horace, Juvenal, Livy, Tacitus, and
Cicero's Epistolæ ad Diversos, (Familiares.) Other authors, and
parts of authors, are recommended to be read privately by the
student, both for exercise in the language, and for the acquisition
much profit; e. g. Cicero de Officiis, de Republica, &c., Terence,
Plautus, &c.
In the Roman History and Literature, Arnold's History of
Rome, Niebuhr's Roman History, the History of Rome published
by U. Kn. Soc., Long's Ancient Atlas, Smith's Dictionary of
Greek and Roman Antiquities, (2d ed.,) and Browne's History
of Roman Literature, are recommended.
The students of both classes are required to furnish written
exercises, chiefly translations from English into Latin.
In the examination of candidates for degrees, the passages
given for the written translations are selected, not from the portions
of authors which have been read and explained in the lecture-room,
but from the classic writers at will.
II.—GREEK.
PROFESSOR GILDERSLEEVE.
The subjects taught in this school, are:
1. The Greek language.
2. Greek literature.
3. History of Greece.
The method of instruction comprises lectures, (systematic and
exegetical,) examinations and written exercises.
This school is divided into two classes—Junior and Senior.
The classic authors read in the Senior Class, are principally:
Thucydides, Sophocles, Euripides and Plato; in the Junior
Class: Xenophon, Herodotus, Homer and Demosthenes. A
private course of parallel and preparatory reading is also prescribed
for each class.
Works of reference.—For the lectures on the structure and
syntax of the language, Kühner's Grammars.
For the lectures on the History of Greece, (Senior Class,)
Thirlwall's and Grote's History of Greece.
The written exercises and the comments on the corrections
constitute a prominent feature in the plan of instruction.
4. The Hebrew language.
Text Books.—Biblia Hebraica, Rödiger's Gesenius' Hebrew
Grammar, and Gesenius' Lexicon Manuale Hebraicum et Chaldaicum.
III.—MODERN LANGUAGES.
PROFESSOR SCHELE DE VERE.
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR, JOS. WALL.
The subjects taught in this school, are:
1. The French, Italian, Spanish and German Languages, and
the English in its Anglo-Saxon form.
2. The Literature of these Languages, and the history of
each idiom.
3. The History and Geography of Europe, from the fall of
the Roman Empire to the present day.
Instruction is also given in Comparative Philology and the
principles of the Science of Language.
There are three classes in French and two in German, one for
beginners, the others for more advanced students; and the same
arrangement is made, when necessary, in the other languages.
Opportunity is also given, in private, to practice speaking the
languages. The method of instruction is by lectures, examinations,
written exercises, and comments on the text-books as read
in the lecture-room; the principal classic authors in each language
being used for this purpose.
Two degrees in this school are required for the degree of
A. M.
IV.—MATHEMATICS.
PROFESSOR BLEDSOE.
ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR, EDWARD B. SMITH.
In this school there are four classes:
In the first, or Junior Class, the student commences with the
study of Algebra; as he is supposed to have rendered himself
familiar with the various rules of Arithmetic before he enters
the University. After the first difficulties of Algebra are mastered,
the subjects of Algebra and Synthetic Geometry are simultaneously
pursued, until they are completed. Trigonometry and
Surveying are also taught to this class.
In the second, or Intermediate Class, the subjects taught are:
Nautical Astronomy, Navigation, Descriptive Geometry, with its
application to Spherical Projections, Shadows, and Perspective,
and Analytical Geometry.
The Senior Class studies the Differential and Integral Calculus.
To this class, a course of lectures is delivered on the History
of Mathematics, and another course on the Philosophy of
Mathematics.
There is also a class of Mixed Mathematics, designed exclusively
for such of the more advanced students as may desire to
study the subjects taught therein.
The course embraces the mathematical investigation of the
general laws of equilibrium and motion, both of solids and
fluids, with a variety of applications, especially to Physical Astronomy.
The instruction in each class is conveyed partly by lectures,
and partly by the systematic study of approved text-books, the
student being assisted by full and frequent explanations from the
Professor, and being constantly subjected to rigid examinations.
The progress of the student in every class is also tested by his
being required to perform written exercises, in which the principles
acquired are applied to the solution of particular problems.
The text-books used are: For the Junior Class, Davies' Bourdon's
Algebra, Legendre's Geometry and Trigonometry. For
the Intermediate Class, Pierce's Trigonometry, Davies' Surveying,
Descriptive Geometry, and Analytical Geometry. For the
Senior Class, Courtenay's Differential and Integral Calculus.
For the Class of Mixed Mathematics, Pratt's Mechanical Philosophy.
Any student entering the school has the privilege of attending
all or any of the classes, as he may elect, and if prepared to enter
an advanced class, may often find it highly advantageous to
review his previous studies by an attendance on a lower class
also.
V.—NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.
PROFESSOR SMITH.
There are three classes in this school: the Junior and Senior
Classes of Natural Philosophy, and the class of Mineralogy and
Geology.
Instruction is given in all the classes by lectures and the study
of the text-books, accompanied by daily examinations.
The Junior Class meets three times a week. The course of
lectures to this class commences with a view of the structure and
of the leading doctrines of equilibrium and motion. In
the latter is included the application of these doctrines to a
variety of subjects, embracing, among others, the centre of gravity,
simple and compound machinery, the pendulum, projectiles,
the figure of the earth and the laws of gravitation. This is followed
by a consideration of the special structure and properties
of fluids, together with the laws of their pressure, motion and
resistance. The theory and construction of the principal Pneumatic
and Hydraulic machines are then presented. To this succeeds
a more particular investigation of molecular actions, as
exhibited in osmotic and capillary phenomena, and in wave motion.
In the latter half of the course, are considered in succession,
Acoustics; Optics, Geometrical and Physical; Electricity,
Mechanical and Voltaic; Magnetism, Electro-Magnetism, &c.,
and Heat, including the Steam Engine. The subjects taught in
this course are illustrated by numerous experiments, and by the
aid of a large collection of diagrams.
The Senior Class meets twice a week. In this class, certain
portions of the Junior course are more thoroughly discussed by
the aid of the lower Mathematics. This course embraces, in addition,
the subject of Astronomy.
Text-Books.—For the Junior Class: Rogers' Mechanical Philosophy;
Muller's Physics or Lardner's Hand-books.
For the Senior Class: Written Lectures on Mechanics; Norton's
Astronomy.
MINERALOGY AND GEOLOGY.
These subjects form a separate department of the school of
Natural Philosophy. They are studied in the order named.
Mineralogy is taught with especial reference to its bearings on
Geology. Throughout the course, specimens are exhibited of
the minerals, rocks and fossils alluded to or described in the
lectures.
Text-Books.—Dana's Mineralogy; Lyell's Manual of Geology.
VI.—CHEMISTRY.
PROFESSOR MAUPIN.
The course of lectures in this school commences with an exposition
of the phenomena and laws of Heat, Light and Electricity,
chemistry.
The subject of inorganic Chemistry is then taken up. The
nomenclature, and chemical symbols and notation are explained,
and the history of the non-metallic elements and their combinations
with each other, very fully presented. Then follows a discussion
of the general principles of Chemical Philosophy, including
the Laws of Combination, the Atomic Theory and Theory
of Volumes, and Simple and Current Affinity.
The consideration of the Metals comes next in order. After
preliminary notices of their general properties, the Constitution
and Classification of Salts, Crystallization, Isomorphism, &c.,
they are taken up individually and very fully considered, together
with their compounds with the non-metallic elements, and their
saline combinations.
The concluding part of the course is devoted to Organic
Chemistry, embracing the consideration of Organic Analysis;
the Neutral Principles and their transformations by the action of
ferments and other agencies; the Doctrine of Compound Radicals;
the various series in which such radicals have been traced;
the Vegetable Acids; the Alkaloids, &c.
The processes for detecting Poisons, and the means of counteracting
their effects are presented in their proper connexions,
and throughout the course the applications of the facts and principles
of the science to Medicine, Agriculture and the Arts, are
duly noticed.
Books recommended.—Fowne's Chemistry, as a text book;
Graham's Elements; Regnault's Elements, and Abel & Bloxam's
Hand-book of Chemistry for reference.
VII.—MORAL PHILOSOPHY.
PROFESSOR McGUFFEY.
There are two classes in this school.
The Senior Class studies Mental and Moral Philosophy, the
first half the session, Logic, Belles-Lettres and Criticisms, the
second.
Books requisite for the Senior Class:
Mental Philosophy—Locke, Cousin, Reed and Hamilton.
Moral Philosophy—Stewart, Jouffroy, Butler and Alexander.
Logic—Whately and Mill.
Belles-Lettres—Blair, Campbell, Kames, Milton and Shakspeare.
The Junior Class studies Political Economy, Statistics, and
the Philosophy of Social Relations or "Ethics of Society."
Books requisite for the Junior Class:
Political Economy—Say and J. S. Mill.
Progress of Society—Guizot, Grimke and De Tocqueville.
Four lectures each week are given to the Senior Class, and two
to the Junior.
VIII.—HISTORY AND GENERAL LITERATURE.
PROFESSOR HOLMES.
(This department, but recently established, will not go into
operation until October 1st, 1857.)
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