The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 50

The Course of Instruction

The Course of Instruction

Covers three years, and the school time of the pupils is about equally divided between mental and manual exercises. The daily session begins at 9 A. M., and closes at 3 or 4 P. M., ample allowance being made for lunch. One hour per day is given to drawing, and two hours to shop-work.

The course of study embraces five lines three intellectual and two manual—as follows:—

First—A course of pure Mathematics, Deluding Arithmetic. Algebra, Geometry, and Plane Trigonometry.

Second—A course in Science and Applied Mathematics, including Physical Geography, Natural Philosophy. Chemistry, Mechanics, Mensuration, and Book-keeping.

Third—A course in Language and Literature, including English Grammar, Spelling, Composition, Literature, History, and the elements of Political Science and Economy. Latin and French will be introduced as electives with English if desired.

Fourth A course in Penmanship, Free-Hand and Mechanical Drawing.

Fifth—A course of Tool instruction, including Carpentry, Wood-Turning, Blacksmithing, and Bench and Machine Work in Iron.

The course in Drawing embraces three general divisions:
1. Free-Hand Drawing, designed to educate the sense of form and proportion; to teach the eye to observe accurately, and to train the hand to rapidly delineate the forms either of existing objects or of ideals in the mind.
2. Mechanical Drawing, including the use of instruments; Geometric constructions; the arrangement of projections, elevations, plans and sections; also the various methods of producing-shades and shadows with pen or brush.
3. Technical Drawing or Draughting, illustrating conventional colors and signs; systems of Architectural or Shop Drawings; and at the same time familiarizing the pupil with the proportions and details of various classes of machines and structures.

The arrangement of studies and shop-work by years is substantially as follows:

Students hare no option or election as to particular studies; each must conform to the course as laid down, and take every branch in its order.

First-Year Class.

Arithmetic. completed. Algebra. to Equations. English Language, its Structure and Use. History of the United States.

Physical Geography. Natural Philosophy begun.

Draining. Mechanical and Free-hand. Penmanship.

Carpentry and Joinery. Wood-Carving. Wood-Turning. Pattern-Making.

Latin may be taken in place of English.

Second-Year Class.

Algebra, through Quadratics. Geometry.begun

Natural Philosophy. Principles of Mechanics.

English Composition and Literature. English History.

Latin may be taken in piece of English and History it" desired by the class.

Drawing. Line-Shading and Tinting, Machines. Free-hand Detail Drawing. Penmanship.

Blacksmithing.—Drawing. Upsetting, Bending, Plunching, Welding. Tempering. Soldering.

Project for Graduation.

Before receiving a diploma of the school, each student must execute a project satisfactory to the faculty of the school. The project consists of the actual construction of a machine. The finished machine must be accompanied by a full set of the working drawings according to which the machine is made. If it is not feasible to construct the patterns for castings of such machine, proper directions for their construction must accompany the drawings.

Details of Shop Instruction.

The shop instruction is given similarly to laboratory lectures. The instructor at the bench, machine, forge, or anvil, executes in the presence of the whole class the day's lesson, giving all needed instructions, and at times using the blackboard. When necessary the pupils make notes and sketches (working drawings), and questions are asked and answered? that all obscurities may be removed. The class then proceeds to the execution of the task, leaving the instructor to give additional help to such as need it. At a specified time that lesson ceases, the work is brought in, commented on and marked. It is not necessary that, all the work assigned should be finished; the essential thing is that it should be well begun and carried on with reasonable speed and accuracy.

Expenses.

Students, whether on scholarships or not, furnish their own books, drawing instruments and boards; their own aprons and overalls; and their own pocket tools. The School furnishes shop-tools and materials. Losses and breakages are charged to pupils when they are the result of carelessness. Books and drawing materials will not cost on the average more than $15 per year. Board and lodging for those living out of the city can be obtained for from $16 to $25 per month.