The History Teacher's Magazine, Vol. I, No. 9, May, 1910Various
History
The History Teacher's Magazine, Vol. I, No. 9, May, 1910
Various
History -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals
In the spring term the process is repeated with each student, certain
modifications being introduced, however, which constitute steps in
advance and prevent the men from viewing the second piece of work as
a monotonous repetition of the first. For instance, the subject is
chosen from the modern period; while the notes and essay are done in
the same manner, a longer time is allowed, and, on the basis of a sharp
criticism of his first theme, much improvement in these respects is
expected; and the character of the bibliography is entirely changed.
The primary object of the first bibliography, it will be noticed, was
to teach the student how to find _all_ the books on his subject, how to
use the library, catalogues, bibliographies, etc. In the case of the
second, we endeavor to teach him how to find the _best books_; in other
words, we require a selected and critical bibliography, and insist that
no book be entered unless its card bears a statement of its comparative
value by some recognized authority. To secure such statements the
student must, of course, in addition to using the usual bibliographies
critically and selectively, search for book reviews in the various
reputable magazines, historical and otherwise. As an additional
incentive, a prize, named for the Hon. Andrew D. White, is awarded to
the author of the best piece of work.
This system was evolved from tentative experiments lasting three
years, and has now been in operation, in its present form, for three
more; and it seems to be the opinion of competent judges that it is
an unqualified success. In the first place, it teaches the student a
great deal, not only about particular phases of European history, but
more especially about methods of work which will stand him in good
stead in all his future courses; and while it demands much of him, the
requirements are all so carefully graded and the work so progressive
in character that at no time is he overwhelmed by the amount suddenly
thrust upon him. And another feature that deserves emphasis is the
care taken to prevent each man from slighting any part of the process;
during the time he is at work on his two themes he must meet his
instructor in no less than five personal consultations which punctuate
at carefully chosen times the various stages of the work.
The obvious difficulty that the system demands too much of the
instructor is met by the fact that the History Department, as well
as the whole Faculty, have shown their appreciation of the results
obtained by lightening the ordinary work of teaching to an extent that
permits the teacher to carry this extra burden without undue effort.
THE WRITINGS OF WILLIAM PENN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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