Repository: UIHistories Project: Course Catalog - 1876-1877 [PAGE 22]

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Illinois Industrial University.

CHOICE OF STUDIES.

It has been a favorite aim of the University, from the outset, to allow as much freedom as possible in the selection of studies. The University was designed not for children, but young men and women, who may claim to know something of their wants, powers and tastes. It is not useful to require every student, without regard to his capacity or practical wants, to take entire some lengthened " course of study." Liberty everywhere has its risks and responsibilities, as well as its benefits—in school as well as in society ; but it is yet to be proved that compulsory scholarship is necessarily better, riper and more certain than that which is free and self-inspired. Each student is exhorted to weigh carefully his own powers and needs, to counsel freely with his teacher, to choose with serious and independent consideration the branches he may need to fit him for his chosen career, and then to pursue them with earnestness and perseverance, without faltering or fickleness. It is necessarily required, 1st, That the student shall be thoroughly prepared to enter and keep pace with the classes in the chosen studies ; and, 2d, That they shall take these studies in the terms in which they are taught. It is expected -that each student shall have three distinct studies, affording three class exercises each day. But on special request, the Faculty may allow less or more, to meet the exigencies of his course. No change in studies can be made after the beginning of a term, without permission of the Faculty. It is recognized that students will often need advice in the selection of studies, and the arrangement of a proper course. To meet this need, the Faculty have carefully arranged several Courses of Studies, which are expected to be followed by those who have no special reason for diverging from them. See Courses under the several schools. Due care will be taken to prevent, as far as possible, all abuse of the liberty of choice. Students failing to pass satisfactory examinations in their chosen studies, will not be permitted to remain and take other studies without a vote of the Faculty. To secure the more certainly the diffusion of the sciences relating to the great industries, the State Legislature, in 18*73, prescribed that each student should be taught some of those branches. Under the present laws of the State, each student is required to study some of the branches relating to Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts. The Trustees have accordingly made the following classification of studies, and require that each student shall take, each term, one study at least from the first class. His second study must be of either the first or second class, and his remaining studies- from either of the three classes. CLASS I. Physics, Chemistry, Mineralogy, Physical Geography, Anatomy and Physiology, Botany, Zoology, Geology, Entomology, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Drawing, Surveying and Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Mechanics, Architecture, Prin-