The eleventh annual Crimson Confidential Guide to Courses will be concluded in tomorrow's issue. Upperclassmen must file study cards before 5 o'clock tomorrow in University C.

Italian 1

Similar to all the elementary language courses, Italian 1 is pleasantly dull. Each day students appear with their reading or composition prepared, and the whole period is devoted to cramming grammar and vocabulary into them. Anyone wishing a reading knowledge in this language will find this course useful. However, those who simply want a "snap" should not include this course on their cards, for it is almost imperative that they attend all classes. During the year excerpts from the works of modern authors are read in addition to the first part of "I Promessi Sposi" by Manzoni, which is without doubt one of the pleasantest books read in any elementary modern language course.

Mathematics A

An introductory course to a field as large and complex as that of mathematics must necessarily cover a vast amount of ground, and numerous topics. In most elementary courses, however, the gaps between divisions are more successfully bridged than in Math. A.

The first part of the course is devoted to the derivation of many of the theorems of Euclidian geometry by analytical methods. Later one is introduced into the esoteric art of differentiation and integration of algebraic and trigonometric functions, and is taught the use of polar coordinates. Complicated as it may sound, the work is quite simple if the daily exercises are performed conscientiously, and if the ground is covered thoroughly by the instructor.

The course, besides being necessary for most physics and chemistry courses, is excellent for training the mind in logic and developing one's powers of deduction. It is in this latter function that the course justifies its existence as an alternative for Philosophy A in the distribution requirements.

Mathematics 4

Affording the student interested in Mathematics ample opportunity to think for himself, this course in Mechanics given by Professor Osgood is one in which native ingenuity and mechanical insight are most useful; there are plenty of opportunities to develop latent reasoning powers in a subject which is altogether concrete. A student planning to enter any branch of engineering or physics will never regret the knowledge of elementary mechanics that may be gained in this course. Instruction is sometimes uninspiring, but the training and subject matter compensate for this defect.

Philosophy A

Philosophy A gathers its enrollment from two classes of students. One class has not the vaguest conception of what philosophy is, or intends to accomplish, either before or after taking the course. This class is largely composed of those who fear the mournful numbers of mathematics in the matter of taking off the mathematics requirement, and five into the depths of philosophy in full retreat. The other class is composed of those who are either concentrating in Philosophy or Psychology or else are eager to gain an introduction to Philosophy by the historical method. This class generally leaves the course little more enlightened than the first.

The course is supposed to be an introduction to Philosophy through the historical method, but in actuality falls far short of its mark. The lectures are either very poor in content and well delivered, or of mediocre calibre and delivered in such a way that only those in the front row can hear, and then indistinctly. The section meetings once a week vary with the instructor, and for the most part provide the only opportunity for enlightenment in the course.

Philosophy A could be a course to challenge the intellectual curiosity of all but the most sluggish student, but succeeds only in bewildering the few who can manage to maintain interest in a large and poorly managed course.

Philosophy 3b

Philosophy 3b is the more difficult of Professor Whitehead's two courses. If you can choose, or take both, Philosophy 3 (second half-year) is the first to be taken.

Philosophy 3b considers the cosmologies of Lucretius, Plato's Timaeus, and Newton. There is also emphasis on Descartes. In contrasting the Timaeus with Lucretius, Professor Whitehead sketches his own cosmology, which is based largely on the former. In the lectures the modern world is seen through the eyes of probably the most distinguished living philosopher, who also brings to his job such a logical mind as wrote "Principia Mathematics," a thorough knowledge of mathematical physics, and an unshakable conviction that his classes know more than he does. Long after the subject matter of the lectures is forgotten, the way he gave them will be remembered, in particular his method of approach to the problems.

In the prescribed reading, which is not unusually difficult, and in the examination, where there is a choice of three out of 11 questions, the emphasis is on understanding a few topics thoroughly. A wide range of choice is permitted, in picking a topic for the course thesis. Concentrators in fields other than philosophy are graded more easily, and are encouraged to write on whatever in the lectures has bearing on their particular interests.