UNIVERSITY SENATE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 127, 22 February 1919, Page 7

UNIVERSITY SENATE

4 DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL SCIENCE IN TUNE WITH THE TIMES AN INTERESTING DEBATE. By Tcleerraph-Press Association. Christchurch, February 21. At the University Senate .meeting today, tile Board of Studies recommended that a diploma in 6ocial scieiice should be established, and submitted a suggested course of subjects. Tho course suggested was in two parts, ono compulsory and tho other optional. The compulsory subjects were sociology, economics, history, and political science. A wido range of subjects was suggested for the optional portion of tho examination for the diploma. The Rev. A. Cameron moved that tho Senate agree to the-recommendation; Professor Hunter moved an amendment that tho matter be referred to tho. Arts and Commerce Committee. He contended that tho course of subjects suggested, w r as far too ambitious. A much more modest course was 'necessary at the present time. Under the proposed .requirement* for tho diploma a. student would be able to get a diploma not in accord with modem sociology. The Hon. ,T. A. Hanan said he hoped that something would bo done on tho lines suggested to the Senate. He wanted to see the subjects nioutioned in tho.recommendation given greater prominence. If they granted a diploma if. would, ho considered, givo greater prominence to them. No more important question had come before the Senate. If they did not have a public which was enlightened on these matters they would drift into a state of chaos.

Dr. Anderson supported the amendment, stating that the proposed diploma appeared to him to be more suited for, a post-graduate conrso than for the bulk of the people. If it were necessary to meet the needs of the people in tho matter a more moderate programme was needed than the one submitted. Professor Hunter's amendment was carried. Study of Anthropology. The Board of Studies recommended Senate to provide for the study of anthropology in the University by the establishment of a diploma in that subject, the Dunedin members of . the Board of Studies to bo a committee, with power to co-operate and report to the Senate at its next meeting. Professor Hunter moved that the Senate should agree to the recommendation, and that it should be referred to the Science Committee.. ' i Prftfessor Macmillan Brown said that it was n living duty for them to encourage the study of the subject, more particularly in view of the fact that as a result of the war New Zealand would be administering some of the islands in tho PacifrE He had spoken to -some of those who were administering tho affairs of these islands, and found in the majority of cases that they had been taken from the law and other professions, and had absolutely no knowledge of the customs and traditions of the natives, Professor Hunter's motion was agreed to. The Senate agreed to tho recommendation of the Board of Studies that the third class in honours be no longer awarded. Examinations. In regard to tho University examinations, the Senate decided that- in each subject a board of examiners be set up consisting of responsible'teachers in tho four colleges, with whom may be associated, if the Board of Studies on the recommendation of tho teachers of, the subject thinks fit, an assessor who may or may not be a teacher at an affiliated college, and that the question of merit bo referred to tho Arts and Commerce Committee.