The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1911-10-28
OF N. o.
schools? 1t Is not n grave error that
the individuals h form the same
body polite should he segregated in

schools? 1t Is not n grave error that
the individuals that form the same
body polite should he segregated in
different schools in widely separated
years when they are receiving their
professional training! At the age
when young men are preparing for
their lifework should they not be
brought together as much as possible
at perhaps the most critical period
OF life? How a there be Il sympa-
thettc consideration Of each others
calling In life and an understanding
OF his point of View when in so many
communities deliberate efforts have
been made to separate men during
the formative period Of their career?
Therefore let 1t be part of the high
purpose Of the university to provide
technical instruction for every pro-
fesston which advancing civilization
has summoned into existence.
1.-The university that is broadly
sympathetic to the inclusion Of all
subjects that ma be classed as sub
jective n objective. n also with
those beneficent applications of
knowledge to u material needs. is
in close harmony with the law Of
progress and has placed itself on a
sure foundation to stand as a bull
wark of an enlightened civilization.
1uS ElSNltNS SySlClls
Another problem Of great impor-
lance to which the sympathetic prin-
ciple is applicable is the degree of
freedom which the student should be
allowed to exercise in the choice Of
his subjects of study or in other
words the elective system. In the oid
universities little choice Of subjects
was allowed. In contradistinction Of
study is the unrestrained elective sys-
t0,,, Nrf.ri,,,t I l,It,,, h., T--
vard.
There are however three features
of the elective system that prove great
sources Of weakness. and these
nave resulted in widespread dissatis-
faction and distrust of it's educational
s%oundness. The first defect is funda-
mental; it Is the incorrect assumption
that the student at the very thresh-
hold of his higher education is capa-
BILE of making a proper selection of
studies. The second defect Is not so
fundamental in character but practi-
cally as serious n unfortunate in its
results: it lies in the very natural
temptation to select easy superficial
courses, and to avoid those which by
their difficulty afford exercise to the
mind. The third defect is one from
the faculty standpoint but is closely
associated with the second. The
oSAAS a SOty AINAldl ucSllc "
attract students, and t o do so may
yield to the temptation to offer in
addition to the sounder courses some
which will be easier and less educa-
tional in character.
"These three fatal tendencies or
defects are sufficient t my mind to
condemn the free elective system.
Then shall it be rejected as an edu-
cational principle? By no means.
Let the synthetic principle again be
applied to combine the idea Of the
fixed course and that of free electives.
and an elective group system results.
This plan avoids the defects which
We have discussed if those who are
experienced-the faculty-fix the
groups The student may then safe
ly do the electing. Each group may
be made Of sufficient breadth to en-
sure symmetrical mental Develop
ment, and the acquisition of a proper
degree OF Intellectual culture. Each
group may be balanced by combining
the study Of the objective and subjec-
tive in suitable proportions. If the
groups are made Of practically uni
form difficulty the student In search
Of an Easy road to knowledge will
avoid syylla only to fall into charyb-
dis"