Sociology.

The Senate of the New Zealand universities has decided to eliminate sociology from the degree curriculum after 1941. This seems to me a definite mistake.

Sociology is the study of society and of human affairs in the widest sense. It provides a framework into which one can fit one's knowledge of the other social sciences, such as economics, history, anthropology and psychology. It is in effect the apex of the study of mankind in relation to his environment, and integrates one's thinking on social questions.

Surely this subject is of value to any student who wishes to investigate the world in which he lives, to view society clearly, and to attain an intelligent insight into the past, present and future of man's civilisation.

Sociology is not mere theory, bearing no close relation to life. It is intensely real. What is of more importance than an understanding of one's environment and its relation to other societies.

I believe that this subject should not only be retained in the universities of New Zealand, but that it should be removed from the extramural list, and placed under the supervision of the philosophy departments, where its study could be developed by the seminar method. Under the present system the student works alone. Discussion and criticism of theories would be most useful.