2 i J THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
whatever sense these questions might be answered there was no doubt that the general public applies the term "social science " to all sorts of research and exposition concerning in one way or another the study of societies including the exposition of doc- trine, which is not pure science, as well as the work of applica- tion, which falls within the domain of art and practice.
At first the field was provisionally divided into two sections, the one treating of " methods," and the other of "doctrines." Under the first title courses were included on the logic of social sciences, on the preparation of descriptive monographs, on the collection aud interpretation of statistics, and lastly on the crit- icism and use of historical documents. The doctrinal section embraced the presentation of the most important social theories and plans for social reform theories as opposed to one another as revolutionary socialism on the one hand and classical politi- cal economy on the other as diverse as Catholic sociology and the sociology of Auguste Comte.
The history of social movements, and the exposition of social legislation, subjects which should have formed two sec- tions distinct and separate from the others, were at first classi- fied under the section on doctrines. This classification, hastily conceived as it was, served well enough for the original pro- gramme, the most urgent task being to apply, and not to perfect, the scheme. The courses were not well under way until late in the scholastic year (January 1896), and continued less than three months.
The second year of the school, to the contrary, would be mapped out with deliberation and begun in good time. The experience of the first tentative session served partly as a guide, showing what mistakes should be avoided and what deficiencies ought to be remedied. There was soon no doubt left in the public mind as to the earnestness of the attempt to offer dis- tinctively scientific instruction instruction detached from all degrees, from all lucrative diplomas, and from all promise of a subsequent career. The prime difficulty the choice of suitable instructors was resolved with surprising ease, and with a sue-
