NEW HONORS REQUIREMENTS

The revised plan for obtaining honors in English, which is published elsewhere in these columns contains two points of particular significance. The division, which has been made between general and special honors does not depend upon a difference in course requirements, which are almost identical, but upon the abolition of compulsory Anglo-Saxon in the general field and upon the additional requirement in that field set forth in the statement that, "it is expected that candidates under this plan shall show evidence of especially wide rending."

The Anglo-Saxon requirement has been the besetting sin of the Honors Course in English ever since its institution: It was wholly illogical of the department to make this demand when no similar requirement for extensive knowledge of both Greek and Latin was laid down. These two languages, even to the layman, are obviously of much greater importance in the study and appreciation of English literature than is Anglo-Saxon. The new rule in effect makes Anglo-Saxon voluntary, and so removes the evil.

The second point of importance in the new general division is the requirement, necessarily couched in broad terms, for "especially wide reading". If properly carried into effect this provision will mean greater emphasis on the tutorial work; and correspondingly less on course marks. Such is the trend of the curriculum at Harvard; away from this artificial division of knowledge into the compartments of various courses and toward greater individual work and research under the general guidance of tutors. Every such requirement as that referred to above, every further limitation upon the number of courses required for a degree with distinction, like that which went into effect this year, is a move in the right direction. The tutorial system is taking positive form with surprising rapidity. It is surely not too much to hope that new and greater additions to its strength will be made in other departments also before the end of the present scholastic year.