UNIVERSITY AFLOAT

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1929, Page 9

UNIVERSITY AFLOAT

COURSE ON HIGH SEAS. For. the first time an American college student can secure an academic degree and at the same time spend his college year on the high seas studying modern civilisation and the oldei’ cultures at first hand. This announcement is made by the New York office of the Floating University recently incorporated by the State of Delaware, writes Percy S. Buller, in the Daily Telegraph. There have been two American experiments in floating universities. The first, which consisted of “Co-eds” — meaning students of both sexes—was very romantic in the way of weddings and engagements. The second experiment, comprising ninety students of both sexes, with fifteen teachers, is under different auspices, though the object ot education by travel is identical. The second cruise started on November 11; and will return to New .York about June 30. Within a period of seven and a half months the young people will have been round the world, making an overland tour of India, France, Germany and Italy, but not on the present occasion visiting England. The degrees which the Floating University will grant for the first time are Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and Bachelor of World Affairs. Requirements for the first two are described as “.similar to those in the land colleges.” The four years’ residence requirements of a B.A. degree, according to the Delaware Charter, may be met in part by residence at a land college and in part by work with the Floating University. The Masterate requires, besides one year of graduate work under the faculty of the Floating University, the submission of a thesis compiled upon data which, the world cruise is expected to furnish.

The “Bachelor of World Affairs” marks a departure from the conventional in American education. The student who qualifies for this degree, the Floating University believes, will have gained sufficient background in international relations and public affairs adequately to prepare him for United States consular or diplomatic service, or for “effective work in an international corporation.” Mr. Cornelius Du Bois, assistant to President Grecnbie, says that the Floating University has now established itself as a successful educational experiment, and he hopes some English students will take part in the next world cruise starting this autumn. From start to finish the estimated total cost to each student on the present cruise is £570.