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.

There is, however, an additional side to English 10a. After each talk other students discuss, and usually argue about, what has been said. Then, too, a series of essays on contemporary problems is read and discussed, and in these two types of discussions nearly any man who is reasonably well acquainted with the affairs of the day will find a great deal that is worth while. It is an unusual opportunity to hear others' opinions, and this last is always a valuable experience.

English 33

"American Literature"

For some years past, English 33 has performed the great service, each year, of making a large number of students acquainted with the wealth of little-probed material that is available in American literature. At the beginning of the course in October there are usually a number of men who are not entirely sure that American writings can offer them anything that will be worth their while. By June these doubters have become enthusiastic readers of American literature.

This transformation is due in great part to the general excellence of the lectures, which are delivered principally by Professor Matthiessen and Dr. Miller. Of course the lectures give information necessary to an understanding of the required reading, but above all else they make even the dullest student interested in the books which he is about to read. Few general survey courses surpass English 33 in point of ability to raise interest in the subject.

The reading is on the whole very good, and the student is continually astonished to discover how many really fine books have been written here in his own country. All of the major books assigned are well worth reading, but a few of the minor works might well be dropped from the list.

Geology 1

"Introductory Geology"

Brilliant lecturer and expert geologist, Professor Kirtley F. Mather is the dynamic force that makes Geology 1 the most enjoyable course offered here for passing off the science requirement. And what is more, it affords a fund of knowledge covering the most fascinating and basic theories of the earth itself.

Three lectures each week account for all the material which must be assimilated in order to pass the examinations. When the subject being discussed lends itself toward especial interest, Professor Mather disports himself before his 200-odd students in a manner which few can hope to imitate, much less surpass. When the subject matter occasionally turns boresome, the lecturer does his best to put spice into the presentation; but this often proves absolutely futile.

One of the attributes of the course is a complete and orderly outline of the entire year issued in September, and adhered to religiously straight through June.

The lab work consists of three hours each week, with field trips in the spring and fall. The indoor study is confined to the study of minerals and rocks through the use of choice specimens, and of geological features through the use of topographic and aerial geology maps, while the out-of-doors trips will acquaint one with a cross-section of greater Boston.

Whether or not the individual enjoys this course depends almost entirely upon himself and his own tastes. It is not a hard course to pass, but a decent amount of application is needed to obtain honor grades.

History 5A

"American History, 1760-1840"

Nearly everyone who come to Harvard has from earliest infancy been acquainted with at least the popular legend type of American history. In History 5a the student will find some of his childhood beliefs supported, others ruthlessly destroyed, but in any case he will find a steady-moving, very thorough account of America from 1765 until the close of the Jacksonian era.

Professor Merk's style of lecturing is by no means forceful; rather it is noted for its regularity and precision. An amazing amount of very valuable and interesting material is packed into each 53 minutes, yet there is no sensation of Floyd Gibbons-like speed.

With one notable exception the reading is good. Unfortunately, the exception is the textbook used in the course, Hockett. A great deal of the evil of having a poor textbook is, however, removed by the thoroughness of Professor Merk's lectures. With this one exception, History 5a accomplishes in very commendable fashion its task of racing through the nation's history.

Mathematics A

"Analytic Geometry; Introduction to the Calculus"

For those who haven't fulfilled their distribution requirement, Math A affords an uninspiring but rigorous alternative to an elementary philosophy course.

Students subjecting themselves to the routine are divided into sections varying with their ability demonstrated in the College Boards. Outstanding performers are submitted to the professor in charge of the course, in whose section the work is conducted in lectures, often with the extraneous demonstration of mathematical phenomena. The rest go into smaller groups under smaller men, who emphasize only the essentials, and explain the work more conscientiously.

Without a reasonable amount of application, even a passing mark is unattainable, for the grade is based chiefly upon the daily work. A vast amount of time is spent in solving problems fabricated purely to prepare the students for the more difficult hurdles ahead.

Beginning the year with analytic geometry, one learns a working relation between geometry and algebra, which facilitates the solving of the more intricate geometrical problems. The spasmodic recurrence of differential calculus serves as an introduction to Math 2, and furnishes mild interest. A hasty survey of trigonometry is inserted for those who have missed it in school.

It is a course for students who like mathematics for its own sake, and who enjoy spending more than a quarter of their scholastic hours in one year in plotting graphs and differentiating functions. Others, who are not continuing the study, gain an appreciation of the methods of higher mathematics. In preparation for advanced mathematics or for a physical science, it is a necessity.

Music 4

"Typical Forms and Styles"

For the man who is fond of music and wishes to learn something about its technical side, Music 4 supplies the answer. Since men who are concentrating in music are not required to take this course, Professor Ballantine has not been restricted by department requirements. One hears representative music from almost every composer of note from Bach to Stravinsky. Analysis of the forms and methods of composition comprise most of the material for study.

One of the chief features is the playing of Professor Ballantine who avoids lending the course a stereotyped flavor through his interest in his work. As a survey course it seems to meet the demands of the musical student in a more logical way than Music 3. While Professor Hill's course considers the biographies of the composers, Music 4 goes directly to their music.

Spanish 1

"Spanish Grammar, Reading, and Composition"

Spanish 1, designed for students who have had no previous knowledge of the language, is, like all other first year language courses, monotonous. The grammar is not particularly difficult, the reading is done in books which are based on puerile stories, and the composition consists of re-writing these same stories.

Despite the boring tone of the course, it is well worth while for anyone to take who is looking for something easy with which to round out a schedule. It cannot be called difficult, in fact it tends to be fairly simple and requires very little time for preparation. At the end of the course, however, even the most superficial student will have received some benefit. A reading knowledge of Spanish can be quite easily derived, which would help anyone through a country where the language is spoken or through a society where people are dropping the foreign phrase.

Enlightened by a good section man, such as Mr. Carner (Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12 o'clock) with a sense of humor and a knowledge of Castilian manners and modes, the course becomes quite delightful.