Page:A history of the Michigan state normal school (now Normal college) at Ypsilanti, Michigan, 1849-1899 (IA historyofmichiga00putniala).pdf/112



Fourth Period.

Principal Boone’s Administration.

A history of events can not be written while the events are still going on. The history of an administration can not be fully sketched until it has closed. Consequently nothing more will be attempted here than to give a brief statement of the substance and the general arrangement of the present course of studies and instruction.

At the opening of the new administration the usual discussion of courses of studies, etc., took place. The reports of the various committees of the National Educational Association were considered, and the subjects of concentration, co-ordination and correlation were quite thoroughly debated. It was generally conceded that a rearrangement of studies was desirable, while no essential changes in the studies themselves were necessary. A single prescribed course took the place of a large number of special courses, provision being made in this course for the introduction of a considerable number of optional and elective studies. The number of different courses is probably larger under the new arrangement than under the previous one; but by restricting the choice of electives to certain properly related groups of subjects, something more of unity is secured in the work of the student.

The strictly professional instruction was somewhat modified and increased. Provision was also made for more optional work in advanced academic studies, such studies being extensive enough to entitle the student to admission to the third year of college and university courses. The special course for graduates of colleges has been extended to a full year instead of one semester,

The following conspectus of courses, with the necessary explanations, affords a tolerably complete view of both the academic and professional work of the school at this time (1898). A comparison of this with the course of prescribed studies at the opening of the school will enable one to see the direction and extent of the development which has taken place.