Wrong Time for a Change

The History Department has changed its General Examinations. As a result, History should become a more challenging field of concentration for both honors and non-honors candidates. Part II of the Generals will require students to answer questions in two, rather than three, of the four areas of general study. The individual questions will cover more ground, both geographically and chronologically, than their antecedents. Non-honors students will have to take Part II at the end of their senior year and must therefore maintain as close contact with the Department, as must honors candidates preparing for Special Examinations.

The greatest improvement is the broadening of Part II questions. Previously lecturers in the fundamental courses in an area were asked to submit questions covering their courses. The student who had taken only a half-course, in Roman History, for example, was assured a question in the area of Europe before 1563, for which his knowledge would suffice. He will now have to fortify himself with additional courses, as he will be held responsible for a substantial portion of the areas he chooses.

This change should force the History concentrator to become more a historical scholar and less a course-taker. For he may have to do considerable outside reading to integrate and supplement the courses he takes. The reduction in the number of questions should enable the student to seek depth of knowledge, while the requirement of a pre-1563-question should maintain sufficient diversity.

While such a change is long overdue, the timing of the decision was unfortunate. This year's juniors have only one term to broaden their knowledge in order to meet the new requirements. Many will find that the courses they need are not offered this term and, due to no fault in their own planning, will be ill-prepared for their honors examination.

The Department has shown unhistorianlike impatience in making the changes effective this year. While the new plan may lead to further improvements in the Department's program, drawing on a comparison of senior non-honors and junior honors students taking the same examination, one more year of the old system is preferable to making abrupt demands of these who have adjusted to its less rigorous requirements, and the changes announced now should be applied in 1958.