Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 15.djvu/224

 210 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

chiefly for its bearing on education. For this reason the subject is studied largely in its historical aspects. I want teachers to know something of the development of society both for its bearing as well on the aims as on the general method of education, and for the light it throws on the process of development in the life of the individual child. The chief difficulty I find is in the literature, which is so little organized, contains such a vast mass of what is chaff from the point of view of education, and in many instances has to be translated from jargon into English. I am thoroughly convinced that if even what has been published (to say nothing of what further investigation may disclose) could be put into usable shape, the study might be made of vastly greater practical use to prospective school teachers than has been imdertaken within my knowledge; indeed, it might come to be considered one of the prime essentials of a pedagogical course."

Clara Byrnes, Associate Professor of History, Normal College of the City of New York : "It seems to me that the work in sociology will develop most value along the line of practical work, and studies of actual con- ditions; that for the undergraduates a simple theory and much supervised observation to some definite end is the desirable thing. Random observa- tion of social facts is stimulating, but dangerous, to these younger students. In the Normal College, we hope to double the numbers in our optional class in sociology in September, 1909, and in September, 1910, to open new courses in this field. The time of the associate professor will probably then be devoted entirely to sociology and economics."

E. T. Mather, Principal of State Normal School, Bellingham, Wash.: "It is difficult to teach because it is not a well-defined science. It is rather a group of ideas and theories, each of which pretends to be or tends toward a science in itself."

W. H. Cheever, State Normal School, Milwaukee: "I think every per- son who intends to teach or who teaches should have training in sociology. I am endeavoring to arouse an interest in rural teachers along the lines indi- cated in the enclosed report, also along the lines indicated by the Com- mittee for the Betterment of Rural Life. I do this in my work as state institute conductor. I think the course in sociology in this school is re- garded as one of the good courses."

T. R. Clow, State Normal School, Oshkosh, Wis.: Hopeful. In spite of being unfortunately placed in our curriculum, so that very few students could take it, we have always had classes in it ranging from five to twelve. I have come to believe that it should be a required study for the training of teachers. Our course of study is now being revised and I hope soci- ology will have a place where a large number can take it. We still lack suitable textbooks, however, i. e., they do not exist yet."