CHAPTER III
THE UNIVERSITY AS A DEGREE-GIVING BODY
[pp. [157-164]] Meaning of a degree—the kinds of degrees—the bachelor—the ancient exercises of the schools called acts, opponencies, and responsions—the sophister—questionist—determiner—master—regent master—the degree of M.A.—introduction of written examinations—the tripos.
[pp.[ 164-189]] The subjects of study and examination: the trivium and quadrivium—grammar—Aristotle’s logic—rhetoric—the three learned faculties—the doctorate—development in university studies—the development of the mathematical tripos—the senior wrangler—the classical tripos—Greek at Cambridge—the moral sciences tripos—philosophy at Cambridge—the natural sciences tripos—science at Cambridge—the language triposes—list of the triposes—changing value of the examination tests—the double tripos—present conditions for the B.A. degree—modern changes in the examinations—standard of the ordinary and honour degree, examples.
[pp. [189-201]] Method of tuition at Cambridge—the lecture—the class—the weekly paper—the professorial chairs—readerships—lectureships—Lambeth degrees—degrees by royal mandate—honorary degrees—the “modern subjects”—and the idea of a university.
A UNIVERSITY differs from other scholastic institutions in conferring “degrees.” Having taught a man his subject it offers him a certificate that he in his turn is able to teach it: the “degree” originally signified nothing more nor less than the graduate’s competence to profess the faculty in which it was obtained. This certificate of proficiency referred to the “three faculties” of theology, law, and medicine, to which was added later “the liberal arts.” The titles of “master,” “doctor,” and “professor” were at first synonymous. A master was a doctor in his subject, capable of professing it. The title of “master,” however, clung to the faculty of arts, that of “doctor” to the three liberal or learned professions.