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This course includes practical instruction in prose and poetic 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 a certain maturity of mind and general mental training, an accurate
knowledge of the principles of English grammar, including punctuation and
orthography, and some 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.[1]

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 Persua-ive Prose. This
course, based on Genung's Rhetoric, will be supplemented by lectures, outlines,
diagrams.

Text-Books.—Genung's Rhetoric; Prose Specimens to be selected.

2. Poetics.—This course, following the general outline of the text-book, 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. American Literature.—This course will consist, first, of a general history
of American literature, of which the text-book will serve as a syllabus; then, of
a closer study of the poets of America, with special studies of Southern poets.
This entire course, consisting of daily examinations, class explanations, graphical

representations, assigned readings, lectures, etc., presupposes some knowledge of
English literature, to which constant references will be made.

Text-Books.—Pancoast's Introduction to American Literature; Stedman's Poets
of America; Kent's Graphical Representations of English and American Literature-
Reference: Pancoast's Introduction to English Literature.

4. Essays.—Besides the frequent written exercises, 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 11, May 6.

[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.
VII. Shakespeare, as a Dramatic Artist.

COURSES ANNOUNCED FOR 1898-99.

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. All the plays will be either
examined in class or assigned for parallel reading.

Text-Books.—Barrett Wendell's William Shakspere; Globe edition of Shakspeare's
Complete Works (Macmillan & Co.); Kent's Shakspeare Note-Book. In
addition, for the plays studied in class single annotated volumes are strongly recommended.

VIII. Chief English Literary Tendencies in the Nineteenth Century.

Text-Book.—Saintsbury's Nineteenth Century Literature, used as an outline.

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.