To encourage the study of American history among its students, Harvard University has begun a new educational venture with the issuance of a pamphlet containing a study program and reading list. This pamphlet will be available to students and the public without charge.

The syllabus, entitled "Harvard Reading List in American History," may be obtained by writing to the "Committee on the Extra-Curricular Study of American History, Lehman Hall., or by calling at the Information Office in University Hall. In making this announcement, University officials emphasized that Harvard is not offering an additional course of study, either to students or the public, and no registration is required. Supplementing the reading list, the University will arrange public lectures for next winter summarizing certain aspects of American history.

In an introduction to the pamphlet, which classifies some 290 books covering all phases of American culture and civilization from Colonial times to the present, the faculty committee which compiled the list criticizes the "indifference" and "ignorance" of most Americans as concerns the history of their country.

"One result of this ignorance and indifference is the lack of resistance of even well-educated persons to various forms of propaganda which would have them conceive 'Americanism' in terms of class, party, sectional, racial, or religious affiliations," says the committee.

Purpose of List

The purpose of the reading list, in addition to promoting interest in the history of American civilization among students and others is to prove that an individual may continue his education throughout life by disciplined reading on an informal basis, according to President James B. Conant who initiated the plan. It is an attempt to counteract the idea that the only road to knowledge lies through formal instruction in regular college courses.

Harvard Students who are not taking courses in American history will be urged to make use of the reading list. Special examinations will be hold for these students and prizes awarded to the top men. If this experiment in "optional examinations" is successful, the examinations may be opened later to those members of the public who care to find out how their study is progressing