Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1871-06-08
our CoIleke CurricuIurn.

M. Union Correspondence.
In our treatment of this subject, we
shall present but few thoughts. which
are prevalent In our miRds, merely
bringing it before the public for their
consideration. Upon examination, we
find "Our College Curriculums" are
much too extensive; especially, view
| ing them in the light which they are
taught.
A young man enters college, follows
a prescribed course, comprehending at
least four years, and very frequently,
six. During these weary years, mon
otonous procedure is strictly adhered
to, well calculated owing to its drudg-
cry to depress the mind of any SAN
guine youth. In the recitation room,
the text book is adhered to, excepting
such digressions as may be brought
about by the more intelligent class,
asking questions.
We think the prescribed course, ex-
tant in most colleges throughout the
land, should comprehend but little
more than half what they do at the
present time. A young lady, or gen.
tleman, desiring to pursue course OF
study, is often deferred from the vast
| amount of time required, and from the
expense which will result from the
same.
The question is would it be better to
I limit the courses of study, and have
more obtain an education, or allow
them to remain as they are, and deter
many from getting one? The change
we speak of, would be useless, however,
unless there was a revolution in the
mode of instruction. An education
does not consist merely in book kn0wl.
edge, but in the practical part, of that
to which it is applicable
Thegreat lack iSin practical teaching.
Many of our colleges are but poorly
provided with apparatus, so that a stu
dent is rushed through, taking about
4 four or five studies, the text book being
held very sacred, and but little of the
practical part being brought out.
1t would require but comparatively
little more time, to go through course
and make it thoroughly practical, than
| to pursue the method now followed, by
most of the institutions throughout the
land. 3H
Say that three studies could be taken
per term, by the former method, while
1 by the latter there could be four pur,
sued. There would be gain of four
per year, or to reduce the time from
what it now is, to three years, which
is one-half of what is required in most
4 Colleges.
1 In three years we should be twelve
behind, hence it would just require foul
years by the practical method, to take
LA three years course by the method
now pursued.
Every institution being supplied with
a laboratory, all subjects could be prac
tically taught.
Say for instance student is taking
chemistry, by having access to the
Laboratory, and being permitted tx
make his own experiments, he no
emily sees the way In which the com
pound is nude to dissolve, and by it
elements reuniting with others from
one of a different nature, but he wit
nesses, the compounds themselves, anC
thus, he is made, not only practica
chemist, but also very thorough one
i The result of this would be, our ian(
would abound with thoroughly educa
] tied persons, and they would be qualifiet
to iTnpart their knowledge in prac
tical manner, and our country woult
be borne on rapid wings, towards the
, planes of success.
\ JOSEPHUS CASH.