These articles on the various Fields of Concentration will appear in the "Confidential Guide" next September. Therefore the current year is referred to as "last year," etc. Criticisms will be welcome if mailed immediately to the CRIMSON, 14 Plympton Street.

Economics

Economics is the center around which our present civilization revolves; some even claim that all human history has been determined fundamentally by economic forces. Almost every occupation fits into the economic structure, and for certain ones like government and business, a knowledge of the economic structure is essential. The field of Economics increased 20 per cent from 1935-36 to 1937-38 and is now the largest in College with 477 concentrators.

From the nature and aims of the field it is obvious that it might better be entitled Political Economy, for every course tends to emphasize the fact that economics cannot be separated from politics. Through full courses on various special subjects like Public Finance and Utilities a broad survey of the subject is attempted, and although each course is designed to include the major problems existent today, it is of course impossible for them to provide the answers. Thus, the field does not intend to offer practical value--in the narrow vocational sense, since it feels that practical training should be obtained after College in places like the Business School. Instead, it offers a thorough theoretical background of economics useful in any business career.

A student who does not want to concentrate in Economics but desires an auxiliary foothold in the subject would do best to combine the theory of Economics A with the more specific material in Economics 41, on Money and Banking.

Concentrators n Economics will have to pass in the spring their Junior year a general examination on the department of Economics, and in the spring of their Senior year an examination correlating Economics with either History or Government (this correlating exam may be abolished by 1942), and a third one on the student's special field, which is chosen from a list of eleven, including economic theory, economic history, money and banking, industry, public utilities, public finance, labor problems, international economics, policies and agriculture.

Courses in allied fields, including Philosophy, Mathematics, History, Government, and Sociology, are suggested by the department for each of the special fields. In addition, Geography 1 is recommended in connection with international policies or agriculture.

According to members, there has not been enough organization of tutorial work. In preparing men for their Junior divisionals the tutors have each gone off on independent tacks, often haphazardly. A list of books drawn up by the Board of Tutors for each special field, large enough to allow the student a reasonable amount of choice and yet limited enough to assure both student and tutor that he is working in some prescribed direction, would remedy this situation. The tutors themselves are good, on the whole, and willing to give time to those students whose interest and ability warrant it.

Economics A is required for admittance into every advanced course, although there are a few which allow it to be taken at the same time. It is by no means too difficult for Freshmen, may be taken by them with the consent of the instructor, and concentrators urge all Freshmen who think they may go into the field to take this course during their first year. This will enable them to begin taking advanced courses their Sophomore year, as History and Government concentrators do, and thereby allow a much wider range of study during their last two years, both in courses and in tutorial. History 1 and Government 1 are both required for concentration in Economics. The former should be taken Freshman year.

Of the two basic courses in theory Economics 1 is much better than the half year course 2a, but it is open only to honors candidates. Professor Chamberlin lectures excellently in course 1, but there is still need for a half course such as 2a. Nearly all the advanced courses will be found worth while, but they cannot all be taken and must be chosen with the interests and the special field of the concentrator in mind. Course 21a was blamed for wasting the effort of Professor Frickey, for students claimed the material could be covered in less than a mouth. It is necessary for graduate work, and cannot be expected to be very interesting. Mason's Economics 11a and b, on the history and economics of Socialism, while they are not well organized, represent--especially the history--a field which has been practically ignored in the social sciences, although it is listed as a special topic for the correlation exam--the History of Political and Economic Thought. A course on the History of Economic Theory is notably lacking, and the History of Socialism could well be matched with a History of Capitalism, Sociology 3 comes nearest to filling this gap now, but it loans loss towards economics than towards social progress. Economics 36, on Economic History, is concerned with the material development of industry, railroads, etc. Hansen was liked in course 45a on Business Cycles, and the material covered in 43a and b is valuable.

Expanding its labor instruction, the department will make Economics 81, on Labor Problems, a full course, to be given by Professor Slichter, Dr. Reynolds, and Mr. Pollard. Social security, as well as the economics of labor, will be taught.

English

Three factors make the English Department an enigma for this year. First, the loss of Professor Greenough and of Professor Lake cannot help but be felt. Only Professor Lowes now remains of Harvard's legendary English teachers. Second, the basic changes in the tutorial staff means that a large number of students in the field will have to find new tutors, and the Sophomores will, in general, get newly appointed tutors who have yet to learn the ropes. Finally, the omitting of such a basic course in the field as 52, Victorian Literature, is difficult to condone, especially since criticism has always been levelled at the department for its disregard of preparing men for Divisional exams.

In the fall of Junior year a concentrator must take a written examination on the Bible, Shakspeare, and two of the following ancient authors: Homer, Sophocles, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Horace, and Virgil, and near the end of his Senior year one on English literature.

Browsing at high pressure continues as the typification of the field. The Divisionals are deemed exceptionally severe, with courses 10, 21, 30, 40, 50 and 52 considered as key. The broad scope of the field made many of the concentrators agree that the most pleasant way to cover the field was through tutorial guidance, but such men declared that a coordination tutor, not a laissez-faire man, was essential for this mode of study. Of these tutors Munn was recommended as a great individual teacher, and Steel was declared one of the best tutors in the field. Chandled and Sedgwick are good, but they have to be drawn out; Worcester is also good, but perhaps too bright. Morison and Rackcliffe were well recommended.