The Crimson today continues its publication of the twelfth annual Confidential Guide of Courses, preparatory to the filing of course cards. In some instances a revision of the conduct of a course may have been effected without any notice being given. The Crimson cannot assume responsibility for errors arising from such conditions, and can only urge professor contemplating such a change to notify the Crimson.

Chemistry A

"Elementary Chemistry"

To the unknowing young Freshman, Harvard offers several courses through which the science requirement may be passed off; but none of these is a better source of information or a broader introduction to the method of scientific thought than Chemistry A.

The course consists of two lectures per week, a 20-minute quiz followed by a question-all in the section meeting on Friday, and "three hours" of laboratory work. The lectures are interesting from the point of view of their content, but for little else. The lecturer is dull, albeit rather easily followed when it comes to taking notes. The table experiments, however, usually make up for this, except when some assistant has prepared them incorrectly and they fail to respond according to Hoyle. The quizzes themselves, coming always as regularly as Fate, are taken entirely from the two lectures of that week, and count heavily for the term mark. As for the lab work, if the student works earnestly and hard during the entire period, he can finish the prescribed work in the time allotted; most students come back another day. Although the majority of the experiments are dry and boring routine, several of them give to the aspiring chemist, as he gazes on his network of glass apparatus, a feeling that he is really accomplishing something important after all.

Here, as is the case with most elementary scientific courses, memory work will bring honor marks; no brains necessary.

Economics A

"Principals of Economics"

Since the purposes of Economics A is to teach the beginner the economic way of thinking, economic questions of the day are considered in a purely subsidiary light. It is the general outlines of economic theory, rather than the details of its structure, which are presented the student. Although he may develop during the year the desired line of attack, he is apt to feel that he has learned less about economics than he wished.

That Economics A is an introductory course, and a difficult one to administer, should be kept in mind. Nevertheless, it would seem that the economic way of thinking might be brought home more vividly by applying it directly to the questions facing the country today.

Long experiment has determined that the course shall consist of three section meetings a week. Since it is the section man who guides the discussions, a great deal depends on his calibre. The reading, though rather difficult for a beginner, is of reasonable length and easily handled.

English 10A

"Public Speaking"

Professor Packard's course in Public Speaking has the unique distinction of being one of the few "practical" courses given at Harvard. The main purpose of English 10a is simply to improve the students' delivery of addresses of all sorts and to give him actual platform experience and in this purpose the course is remarkably successful.

Each man gives five major speeches and several shorter ones. Basing their judgment on these speeches, the instructors criticize each man's way of speaking, his "platform manner", and the content and organization of his speech. Many a student learns for the first time that he talks too fast or that when on the rostrum he contorts his body to such a degree that his audience becomes quite dizzy in trying to follow both his actions and his speech.