The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1913. THE TEACHING OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE IN THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

White Ribbon, Volume 19, Issue 220, 18 October 1913, Page 9

The White Ribbon. For God and Home and Humanity. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1913. THE TEACHING OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE IN THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY.

The establishment of a Chair of Domestic Science in connection with the New Zealand University was accomplished two years ago in the Otago University, which is the oldest of the Colleges now affiliated to the University-, and dates back to a time prior to IS7O, one year before the charter wa> granted to the X.Z. University. It will be interesting to sec what is being done there.

The object of the courses of >tud\ arranged is stated to be “to provide a thoroughly scientific education for women in the principles underlying

the conduct and organisation of home life, in order to equip them well and adequately for the part they have to play.” Thus to obtain a degree, far from being the only purpose of thi" new course, is made to occupy a position of secondary importance. Ac - cordingly, in addition to the full De grec course which leads up to the degree of “Bachelor of Sc ience in Home Science,’ there i' the shorter diploma course which “has been planned to meet the need' of two classes of women students: (i) Those who intend to take up home duties, and who consequently desire to be come really efficient in home manage ment ; and (2) those who intend to be come teachers, but wish for a more general education than that provided for specialists in the Degree course, and, at the same time, desire to gain a thorough and practical knowledge of the Domestic Arts, together with the scientific principles underlying them.’ —Otago University Regulations.

Students taking the Diploma Course may obtain either a Pass Diploma or a Diploma with Distinction, the time required in both cases being either two or three years, as may be preferred.

Candidates for the l’ass Diploma must be over 16 years of age, and must have parsed the Matriculation Examination of the X.Z. Univcisity, provided that tho'e who arc over iN years of age may substitute a special entrance examination of the same standard, but requiring fewet sub jects. They must keep terms, i.e., they must “attend any three of the classes prescribed for the Degree ot Bachelor of Science in Home Science of the New Zealand University, and have also done the work of those classes to the satisfaction of the teach ers” (Otago University Regulations) for at least two years, and niU't pa>s the Otago University examination' in the following subjects; Chemistry (Inorganic and Organic), Applied Chemistrj (application to Laundry Work, Housewifery, and Cookery), Elementary l’hysics and Dynamics, Physiology (including short courses on Biology and Bacteriology, and also First Aid to the Injured and Home Nursing), English, Household Econo mics, Needlework, and Hygiene including the care, nurture, and feeding of infant'). In all subjects practical courses are insisted on which it is

strongly urged should be taken side by side with the theoretical courses. These conditions being fulfilled, candidates have qualified for the title of “Associate of Otago University in Home Science," with diploma, the latter bearing not only the signatures of the highest officers of the Otago University, but also that of the Chancellor or \ ice-Uhancellor of the l niversity of New Zealand. For obtaining the Diploma with Distinction, the conditions arc' neces'a■ 1 1 > more stringent. Candidates must have pa."ccl the Matriculation Examination of the- X.Z. I niversity; they must gain a fir't or second-class in every subject during their course; they must take the first section of the Degree' Course in llou'chold Economics; they must take first-class passes in Practical Cookery, Practical Laundry Work, and Housewifery, and Needlework ; and they must take at least two first-class passes in other subjects, according to certain limitations laid down. It will thus be seen that the course is eminently practical, and that no one can gain even the Pass Diploma without being fairly well equipped for the duties and position of a homemaker. As to cost, it is estimated that the whole course of study for the diploma, including class fee*', college fees, and laboratory fees, requires about 30 guineas, whereas the total cost of the whole course of study for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Home Science, including the NZ. University fees for regi'tiation, ex animations, and degree, is estimated at about 50 guineas. But the opportunities for the study of Home Science are thrown open to other classes ot students besides those already referred to. There ate many who, while wi'hing to make themselves more efficient housewives, might b« unable to devote >0 mu< h time .i' would be required for obtaining a Degree or a Diploma. Such are allowed to take* a group of subjects arranged so as to constitute a shoit course, and here also certificates arc awarded stating the result of the examinations, both theoretical and practical, in the subjects chosen by a candidate. Various combinations of subjects ma\ thu' be 'elected for a short course. One very good and thoroughly practical course of thi' kind might include the following subjects :

1. Eleme*ntar\ Chemistry (Inorganic and Organic). 2. Klcmentarc I * h > - > and Hygiene. *,. Applied Chemistry. Part i : Application to Cookery. Part 2: Application to Laundrx Work and Housewifely. 4. Pra< tical Cookery. 5. Prat tical Laundry Woik and I lousew it cry. finally, single courses may aLu be taken, and certificate's will In* Riven on the examination results. Thus it will be seen that everything possible has been done to (Kipularise the subject, and to place within reach of every class of people the advantages of regular instruction in it. Hut a mere list of the subjects as already given does not fully indicate the comprehensive character of this m a departure in the education of girls. Possibly some of out readers mat be at a loss to understand just wh.it is im luded in such a branch, for instance, as Household Economics. (Quoting from the published sylFabus. the full Degree Course in this subject consists of about 30 lectures on — 1. The evolution of the home, as seen in a study of Kngland. I he Home under the system of Natural Kconomy; the transition from Natural to Money Kconomy; the Industrial Revolution and its influence upon Home Organisation. 2. The Modern Home: its organisation and adaptation to modern conditions; the chief factors which distinguish the work of the home from all othei forms of industry; the relation of this to the problem of domestic service. 3. The < osi of living: rent, wage-, and price of food, and their relation to one another. How to keep household accounts. How to start and manage a banking a< count. Household budgets. It will be agreed by all thoughtful men and women that in these days when the sanctity and power of the home seem to be on the wane, studies of this nature will form one potent factor in removing this serious menace to society. How many homes have been wrecked just through ignorance of the cost of living or the management of money and the art of wisely spending it.' It we can impress upon our girls the* fact that the home i- the very basis of society, that in home-making lies the real dignitv

of womanhood, and that in creating around them the true home atmof phere they are rendering their country the very best service in their power, we shall have done something towards solving sonic of the difficult problems of our modern life. It has been questioned whether this experiment of the Otago University i* proving successful. in the early part of (h»* present session the second only since* the Chair of Home Science was established it was stated officially that 48 students of the University were taking Home Science, of whom jN were taking the full Degree or Diploma Course, and jo either Single Courses or Croupe, l Courses. Several are preparing to become teachers; the Degree students will become the* future lecturers or scientific experts on the subject, the Diploma students probably class teachers in High Schools, Tec linic ai Colleges, and elsewhere. Some have taken up tin* subject in order to equip themselves more fully as missionaries, matrons of hospitals, or muttons of boarding houses in connection with girls’ schools. Some are simply aiming to make themselves more efficient in the* management of their own homes. A good many hope to take up researc h work in some form or other. This perhaps forms the bc'i answer that c an be given to an) criticism as to the success oi the* movement. The people of Dunedin are thus already showing, and will doubtless show metre fully as time goes on, their gratitude for the philanthropy of their fellow-citizen that has made possible the establish tnent of so complete a system of training in Home Sc ience. An impetus has been given to a much needed reform in education, a reform that the leaders in educational matters have* long had in view, and have been working for with the determination to give to girls in every part of the* Dominion the opportunity, through the primary schools and technical college's, of learning as one of the chief parts of their education that which "hall contribute largely to making them worthy wives and mothers for the* future generations of this favoured land. “A virtuous woman . . . lookeih well to the* ways of her household, and ealcih not the* bread of idleness. Her children rise* up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”