6 0 2 MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION LECTURES.
UNIVERSITY EXTENSION BOARD.
Appointed under Statute, No. XXII.
a PBOFESSOR M O R R I S , Chairman.
b PROFESSOR A L L E N . a A N D R E W H A R P E R , M.A.
a H . B. HiaoiNB, M.A.
a A. W . H O W I T T . b PROFESSOR L A U R I E . c A. L E E P E B , LL.D.
a J . H. MACFABLAND, LL.D.
c REV. E.H.SnoDEN,M.A., B.Sc.
b PROFESSOR TUCKER.
c J. P . W I L S O N , LL.D.
c L. A. ADAMSON, M.A., LL.B.
W . E . CORNWALL, M.A., Hon. Secretary.
R E V . J O H N R E I S ,
Acting Bon. Secretary,
a Members at Council.
b Members ot Professorial Board.
e Co-opted.
T h e University Extension Movement, which has h a d brilliant success in England, a n d more recently i n t h e United States, is founded upon one cardinal belief. This belief is, t h a t the acquisition of sound knowledge by men and women, of whatever age and whatever station, will help them to lead more useful lives.
The methods of t h e movement are simple. They consist ot formal lectures, informal discussions, written examina- tions, and, where possible, experiments. These methods have commended themselves to generations of teachers and students as t h e best means of imparting knowledge to adults who are not advanced specialists.
The originality of the movement lies in t h e class of students which i t aims to reach, and t h e large amonnt of individuality which i t encourages amongst such students.
Whilst elementary and public schools naturally confine their attention to t h e young, whose whole time is a t their disposal, and who cannot be expected to b« able to choose their own subjects, and while universities proper organise their teaching for the benefit of those who can devote a large amonnt of time to special study, t h e Extension Move- ment is intended to supply t h e wants of t h a t large body ot persons, men and women—neither children nor specialists
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION LECTURES. 6 0 3
—who constitute t h e great bulk of t h e intelligent and influential members of t h e community. Many of these persons have received a good school education, b u t have been prevented by the claims of business from following up their studies. Many, again, have never had t h e advantages of a good school education, and are, therefore, whilst eager t o acquire knowledge, often hindered by t h e want of t h a t guidance which an experienced lecturer could easily supply.
Recognising t h a t such students exist in large numbers, t h e University Extension Board offers to supply competent lecturers upon application from local committees. T h e choice of lecturer and subject, from an ample list supplied by t h e Board, t h e time and place for t h e delivery of lec- tures, t h e method of raising the necessary funds, are left entirely to each local committee. Besides delivering t h e lectures, t h e length of which is reckoned in each case a t one hour, t h e lecturer is freely accessible to all students for a t least three-quarters of an hour either before or after each lecture ; and experience has shown t h a t t h e personal intercourse between teacher and student, thus awakened, is not the least valuable part of t h e movement.
As it is t h e first object of t h e movement to ensure real work on t h e part of t h e students, each lecturer will supply t h e members of his class with a printed syllabus of bis course as a guide to study, and will recommend such text- books as he thinks suitable for his students. Moreover, each student will have t h e right, if he pleases, upon pay- ment of a small fee, to be examined ut the end of the course, and to receive a certificate from t h e Board stating t h e result of such examination.
Communications on Extension business should be made to t h e Secretary of t h e Board a t t h e University, Melbourne, who will be happy to supply a list of subjects and lectures, as well as any other information desired. . '
