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DE ARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES.
In this Department, as in the Department of English, we would emphasize that thorough grounding of students at the undergraduate stage is essential before the special work which we hope for can be fully developcl. We conceive of this special work as the comparative study of the social philosophies and the social institutions of the Far East and the Atlantic areas, especially in their economic and political aspects. For this work stulies in Mathematics, Languages, History, Philosophy and Geography are of great importance. Economics in all its aspects is fundamental. Particular attention could appropriately be given to the philosophies and institutions of China, Britain and the British Commonwealth. China has a long history in which such matters are very nde quately recorded, and has made her own contribution, especially in social ethics. It is reasonable to assume that comparative studies could very fruitfully be pursued. Very close contact would be necessary with the Departments of English, History and Philosophy wherein the staff at the beginning will have a majority of British members, and with the Department of Chinese which w be staffed mainly by Chinese. The Department of Social Sciences might aim at an early distribution of posts equally between Chinese and British holders. This should not be too difficult of attainment because this is a field in which Chinese ha ve long been interested, and in which many have had Western training.
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY.
38
In one sense the Department of History will be ancillary o those of English-and Chinese Languages and Literatures and of Social Sciences. In another it will have a special task of its own. Here again we should like to emphasize the importance of maintaining standards of work and training c mparable to those characteristic of Honour Schools in the country. The primary object of undergraduate courses must be to train students in the discipline appropriate to historical study. If this is
not successfully unicrtaken the further tasks of the Department will be impossible. In the selection of branches, of History to which special attention is paid it would be appropriate, and indeed highly desirable, to have regard t. the geographical setting of the University. Thus it is suggested that the Professor should be concerned with Far Eastern History. Among the other members of the Department the re shoull by ane or more whose special concern is in the History of Britain British Commonwealth.
the
DEPARTMENTS OF PHILOSOPHY, GEOGRAPHY AND MATHEMATICS:
hill
39 In the Department of Philosophy, in addition that philosophy of Europe, Hindu and Buddhist she would be studied with special reference to their influence on Chinase
jkt. Geography would obviously be specialised to some extent along similar regional lines. It is thought that the well-known aptitude of many Chinese students in Mathematics might lead to the early development of an Honours Schol. In nudition this Department would teach the basic mathematics required for statistical applications. The Department would have an important part in the teaching of students in the
of Science and Engineering.
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