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This course includes practical instruction in 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 maturity of mind and general mental training, an
accurate knowledge of the principles of English grammar, including
punctuation and orthography, and 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 Persuasive Prose. This course, based on
the Professor's notes, will be supplemented by lectures, outlines, diagrams,
etc.

Text-Books.—To be assigned at the beginning of the course.

2. Poetics.—This course, following the general outline of the textbook,
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.

English and American Literature.—This course will consist of general
history of English and American literature, of which the text-books
will serve as outlines; of the study of standard English poems and of
representative American prose. The entire course is supplemented by
class explanations, graphical representations, assigned and suggested
readings, and lectures.

Text-Books.—Pancoast's Introduction to English Literature; Pancoast's
Introduction to American Literature; Pancoast's Standard English Poems;
Kent's Graphic Representations of English and American Literature; Carpenter's
American Prose.

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 16th, December 8th, March 2d,
April 6th.

[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. Shakspeare, as a Dramatic Artist.
VIII. Chief English Literary Tendencies in the Nineteenth Century.

COURSES ANNOUNCED FOR 1900-1901.

IX. Milton, and his Times.

This course, extending from September 15th to December 15th, is
intended primarily to lead to a careful and thorough study of Milton's
poetry and prose but, as a full appreciation of Milton's work involves
a knowledge of the times in which he lived, the course will be supplemented
by a more rapid study of contemporaneous authors.

Text-Book.—Cambridge Edition of Milton's Poetical Works; any good edition
of his Prose.

I. Representative Writers of English Prose.

This course extending from January 2d to March 16th, is intended to
acquaint the student with specimens of the best prose and to give
him practice in criticism. The essays assigned may be read in editions
available in the University Library.

Text-Book.—Clark's Study of English Prose Writers. This will serve as a
syllabus of the course.

X. American Poets, with a Special Study of Southern Poetry.

This course, extending from March 25th to June 1st, will comprise
a somewhat rapid examination of American poetry and a closer study
of certain Southern poets. Among the Southern poets thus closely
studied will be Poe, Lanier, Timrod, Hayne, Father Ryan, Hope and
Thompson.

Text-Books.—Stedman's Poets of America; Stedman's Anthology of American
Poetry.

Essays and Dissertation.—Besides the written exercises and studies
in this course there will be required two essays and a dissertation.
The essays, due October 21st and February 15th, respectively, will treat
some literary themes preferably such as are suggested by the class
work. The dissertation must show independent and original investigation
of some limited theme selected with the Professor's approval.
The subject of the dissertation must be recorded by January 15th, and
the dissertation itself be handed in by May 15th.

PH. D.

This course will be as far as possible adapted to the needs and prospective
careers 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 a 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.

For 1900-1901 the course proposed will be an investigation of the Literary
History of the Southern States prior to 1860.