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Notwithstanding the fact that this course includes
practical instruction in prose and poetic composition and in
the critical analysis of specimens of prose and poetry, its
general aim, constantly held in view, is literary. Its double
purpose is: first, to raise the standard of good reading by
cultivating literary taste and by interesting the student in
the splendid achievements of English literature; second, 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.

In order to pursue this course with 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 orthography, and
general familiarity with the elements of rhetoric. Previous
practice in composition is well nigh essential to the successful
prosecution of the work of this class, while information
about the history and contents of English literature will add
materially to the student's appreciation of the lectures.[1]

For convenience of presentation the course is divided
as follows:

1. Rhetoric.—This will comprise first a rapid review of
the principles of style as illustrated by the Sentence and the
Paragraph, and then a careful study of invention in prose
discourse. There will be occasional written exercises, and
particular attention will be given to the critical analysis of
selected specimens of Descriptive, Narrative, Expository and
Argumentative Prose. The course will be based on
Genung's Rhetoric, but will not be limited to it.

Text-Books.—Genung's Rhetoric; Genung's Hand-book of Rhetorical
Analysis; Baldwin's Specimens of Prose Description; Brewster's Specimens
of Narration; Lamont's Specimens of Exposition; and Baker's Specimens of
Argumentation.

2. Poetics.—In this course will be considered the mechanism
of verse, the artistic elements of poetry, history of
important verse forms, poetic style, kinds of poetry, etc.

Class exercises of various kinds will be assigned from
time to time.

Text-Book.—Kent's Study of Poetry (in preparation). References.—
Gummere's Hand-book of Poetics; Guest's English Rhythms; Schipper's
Englische Metrik; Lanier's Science of English Verse, etc.

3. General History of English Literature.—This course,
of which the text-book serves as a syllabus, will consist of

daily examinations, explanations, diagrams illustrative of
the text, assigned readings, lectures, etc.

Text-Book.—Pancoast's Introduction to English Literature (revised
edition, 1896).

4. Nineteenth Century Literature.—Following the General
History of English Literature there will be offered in
'97-98 a special course in the history of Nineteenth Century
Literature. This course will be supplemented by assigned
readings, lectures, etc.

Text-Book.—Saintsbury's History of Nineteenth Century Literature.
References.—Mrs. Oliphant's Literary History of England, Eighteenth and
Nineteenth Century; Stedman's Victorian Poets; Harrison's Studies in
Early Victorian Literature; and special references for individual authors
and periods.

Essays.—Besides the occasional written exercises of the
class, 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 9, May 4. The subjects
will, in some cases, be assigned and at other times be left
to the choice of the student, but will fall under these
general heads: Description, Narration, Exposition, Argumentation
or Persuasion.

[1]

In this connection the earnest attention of those charged with the direction
of academies, 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.

COURSES ANNOUNCED FOR 1897-98.

VII. Shakespeare, as a Dramatic Artist.

This course is intended (a) to trace the development of
Shakespeare's literary powers and (b) to inculcate a full and
reverential appreciation of his mind and art. His minor
poems—particularly the 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 of the plays and
to the full comprehension and enjoyment of these masterpieces.

The plays examined in class will be:

1. Love's Labor's Lost; 2. A Midsummer Night's
Dream; 3. Richard III; 4. Romeo and Juliet; 5. King
John; 6. The Merchant of Venice; 7. Henry V; 8. As
You Like It; 9. Julius Cæsar; 10. Hamlet; 11. Measure
for Measure; 12. Othello; 13. King Lear; 14. The
Tempest; 15. The Winter's Tale.

The remaining plays will from time to time be assigned
for parallel reading.

Text-Books. Dowden's Shakespeare Primer; Globe edition of Shakspeare's
Complete Works (Macmillan & Co.). In addition, for the plays
studied in class single annotated volumes are strongly recommended.

VI. The British Essay in the Nineteenth Century;
illustrated by the study of, 1. The Edinburgh Reviewers
(Jeffrey, Smith, and Brougham); 2. The Blackwood Reviewers
(Wilson and Lockhart); 3. Lamb; 4. Hazlitt; 5. Hunt;
6. Landor; 7. DeQuincey; 8. Macaulay; 9. Bagehot;
10. Sir Arthur Helps; 11. Carlyle; 12. Newman; 13.
Matthew Arnold; 14. Pater; 15. Ruskin.

Essays and Dissertation.—As an essential part of this
course there will be required two critical essays and a dissertation.
The essays, due October 22, and December 15,
respectively, will treat some literary theme, not necessarily
growing out of the class work, though to such theme preference
will be given. The dissertation must show independent
and original investigation of some theme selected
with the professor's approval, and the subject of this dissertation
must be recorded by the professor on or before January
15, 1898. The dissertation itself is due on or before
May 15, 1898.

PH. D.

This course will be, in some measure, adapted to the
needs 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.

The course begun in September, 1896, comprises the
investigation of the origin, growth, influence, etc., of English
literary criticism.