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B. A. COURSE.
In addition to a certain maturity of mind and general mental training, students
who desire to pursue this course with profit should have an accurate
knowledge of the principles of English grammar, including orthography, and
some knowledge of the elements of rhetoric. Previous practice in composition
is well-nigh essential to the successful prosecution of the work of the class,
while information about the history and contents of English Literature will add
materially to appreciation of the lectures. Three hours a week.
For convenience of presentation, the course is divided as follows:
1. Rhetoric.—This will comprise a careful study of the principles of style
and of invention in prose discourse, with exercise in essay writing, and in the
critical analysis of selected specimens of English prose.
Text-Books.—Genung's Practical Rhetoric; Genung's Handbook of Rhetorical
Analysis.
2. Versification.—This course will be based on the Professor's notes on
Poetics. The lectures will discuss theories and principles of versification;
morphology of verse; history of verse forms; kinds of poetry, etc. Class exercises
of various kinds will be assigned from time to time.
References.—Gummere's Handbook of Poetics; Guest's English Rhythms; Schipper's
Englische Metrik; Lanier's Science of English Verse.
3. History of English Literature.—This course will comprise—
(a) Lectures on the development of English Literature prior to Chaucer.
General References.—Ten Brink's English Literature; Stopford Brooke's History of
Early English Literature.
(b) English Literature, from Chaucer to Dryden.
Text-Book.—Nicoll's Landmarks of English Literature. General References.—Saintsbury's
Elizabethan Era; Gosse's Seventeenth Century Studies; Gosse's History of English
Literature, Eighteenth Century.
(c) English Literature from Anne to Victoria.
Text Book.—Nicoll's Landmarks of English Literature. General References.—Gosse's
Eighteenth Century; Oliphant's Eighteenth-Nineteenth Century.
Numerous special references for authors, periods, works, etc., will be given
throughout the course.
Essays.—Besides the various written exercises of the class, five essays will be
required of each student applying for graduation in the B. A. Course. These
will be due October 15, November 21, December 21, March 15, and
May 1. The subjects will, in some cases, be assigned, and at other times be
left to the choice of the student, but will fall under the following general
classification: Description, Narration, Description or Narration, Exposition,
Argumentation or Persuasion.
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