AUTHORS EXAMINATIONS

The Authors examinations, in the Division of Ancient and Modern Languages, have annually received justifiable criticism for their position at the beginning of Senior year. Not only do they fall to realize their purpose when so held, but they also seriously impede the Departmental work of Seniors, who are practically forced to drop everything else during the first fortnight of the final college year.

The report of the special committee of the Student Council recommended that these examinations be held not later than autumn of Junior year, and be divided into two widely separated groups, rather than the present arrangement, in all Departments except History and Literature, of bunching four tests in two days. Certainly there would be no such protracted session of cramming as now results; more than that, the knowledge of these authors could form a true background for the greater part of study in the fields.

Little can be said in favor of holding these examinations under the present arrangement. Besides enforcing a delayed start on course and tutorial work for Seniors, they particularly hamper Honors candidates who are getting theses under way. And inasmuch as the few months in which theses must be planned and written are interrupted by all too frequent hour examinations and quizzes, the first two weeks of the college year are particularly essential for thesis organization.

While their calendar date is far too late, the integral value of these examinations is undisputed. A knowledge of the Bible and Shakespeare forms the very backbone of the study of any literature, while a through understanding of two Ancient (or Modern) authors is of definite worth, if, however, this background is not obtained until two thirds of one's general study has been completed, only the smallest portion of its purpose can be realized.