New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-05-14
COLLEGE COURSES.

Current discussion of college courses leading
10 baccalaureate degrees receives an authOri-
tatiVe and gratifying contribution In the latest
number of The Bi-Weekly Bulletin" of New
York University, in which the recognized cur
riculum OF the university college is set forth
and explained. Ii will be recalled that some
colleges have practically reduced the length
OF the course for baccalaureate degree from
four years TO three; some have made Greek and
Latin merely optional in courses leading
10 the \. II. degree, and at least one important
institution has abolished all baccalaureate de-
grees but that of A. b.. making all courses
whether classical or scientific or philosophical
lead TO it. For each of these changes much is
10 be said, with perhaps a good deal against
them from certain points of view. We shall
see how New-York University, which has ''set
the pace" for higher education in America in
more than one important particular proposes
TO deal with the matter
Candidates for admission may belong TO any
of three classes-that is 20 say they may elect
TO be examined i'm Latin and Greek, or in Latin
or Greek and German French, or in German
and French; English mathematics, history and
physics being required of ALL During the fresh
man year they are correspOndngy divided into
three classes. one requiring both Latin and
requiring both French and German with one OF
the classics elected, and one requiring both
French and German with no classics, but with
more scientific studies than in the other two
classes. In the remaining three years there are
no fewer than nine distinct courses one of
which the student must pursue. These are
designated respectively as classical modern lam
snage Semitic English-classical, hlstorcal-poIit-
ical philosophical political ma tura science exact
science and medical preparatory, these desgna-
lions indicating their general characters If the
student was in the first section of the freshman
class, with both classics and one modern Ian
guage, he may proceed through any of the first
six courses to the degree of A. B.. or through
any of the last three TO the degree of b. S. If
he was in the second section, with one classic
and two modern languages he may proceed
through any course from the second to the sixth
10 the degree of Phi. B., or through any of the
last three 10 that of b. s. Or If he was In the
third section. with no classics, he may go on
with the second, fifth or sixth course to the de-
gree of Ph. b., or through any of the last three
TO that of Il. s.
In this scheme there is evidently a sufficient
scope and variety of studies TO satisfy all rea-
sonabie requirements. At the same time there
is no lowering of standards nor blotting out of
DEFINITE lines of distinction And the three
great baccalaureate degrees are retained 10 In
olcate the general character of the studies
which the graduate has pursued For example.
there is no classical fetich," but lad may
enter college complete his course and get his
degree without an hours study OF either Latin
o, creek. Yet no one can get the degree Of
a. d. "ithous faiT knowledge Of both Of those