The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-01

marked effect on other centers. Various
colleges and universities. notably Brown
University and the University of the State
OF New York. in the East. and some of the
State universities in the West. entered upon
the work almost Immediately, with good
results.
THE WORK IN INDIANA.
The University Of Indiana was one Of
these Through the Collegiate Alumnae
Association DR.. jerks and Professor Wood
burn were brought to Indianapolis. and a
series Of courses offered each succeeding
year until two years ago, when the Indi-
annapolis center for the extension Of uni
versity teaching was formed.
TIE University of Chicago planned from
The beginning TO incorporate this work as
an integral part of its system of instruc-
ton and when it opened in the autumn
OF 1892 the extension division OF the univer-
sity began it's work.
During the year 1866 121 lecture courses
were given. In all. 100 centers have been
formed i'm 123 cities and in ten States. The
Indianapolis center has depended largely
upon Chicago for its lectures since the or
Eanization of the university there. but has
this year called on the new University Of
Indianapolis we'll
The object of university extension Is the
pie. 1t aims to bring to busy people. at
their own homes. as many of the benefits
OF university teaching as possible. Pri-
mary education is organized in our COM
mon schools on a national scale. The op-
pOrtunity of acquiring an elementary edu-
cation is open TO every one in society. The
Americans are rapidly organizing Sec
ondary education in high schools and acad-
emics, so that their facilities WILL in course
of time be open to the masses of our pop
uiation. Higher education. however. is still
the property of the few. 1t is still pro-
vided only at few centers. and is open
only 10 those who can spend years of time
and hundreds of dollars in it's acquisition.
OBJECT OF UNIVERSITY EXTENSION.
University extension Is an attempt to
MD in organizing higher education on a
basis as truly national as the elementary
school system itself. 1t aims to arouse
general public interest i'm higher things.
TO make seIf-culture, systematic study. one
OF the permanent interests of life by the
side of religion, politics and business 1t
undertakes to organize the work Of higher
education in such way that busy men
and women, while carrying on the ordl-
nary Vocations OF life, can become partici-
patOrs and sharers in that heritage of Gull
ture which it is the prime function OF uni
init. II cannot, of course. undertake to
make scholars. though it accompishes
more in the way of scholarship than ii
often gets credit for. But il can create an
interest in scholarly things: it can awaken
an apprcciatiOn Of art and music; it can
turn public attention to the Importance
OF natural science, and literature, and
philosophy, and sociology, and beget an in
terest in these things which will produce
a marked effect not only on the life OF the
individuals directly affected. but OF the
standard OF taste and culture of the en-
tire community.
The university extension movement has
elaborated Il characteristic method which
experience has shown TO be serviceabie for
its peculiar work. The system OF instruc-
ton embraces the following elements:
F'irst-The lecture. This is a systematic
exposition or the subject matter presented
in such way as to be Ineligible to
person OF average training and intelligence
in the community. These lectures are COM
bined in courses OF six or more, preferably
twelve or more. relating TO one topic. thus
securing sustained attention OF the auditors
for six or more sessions to the same sub
jcct. in itself an educational end OF no
mean value.
Second-The class. This IS conference
between the lecturer and those Of his au-
dence who desire To pursue the subject
somewhat more in detail than is possible
I'm the lecture. 1t gives the members or
the center an opportunity to ask ques-
tons of the lecturer and TO discuss the
more difficult points. AS a rule, 1T imme-
diatcly precedes or follows the lecture.
Third-The syllabus. This is printed
outline of the course OF lectures with sug-
gestions as to reading upon special points
intended 10 be of material value to the
student in following the subject further
Fourth-The written exercise. The men,
bers of the center are encouraged TO write
brief essays upon topics connected with the