uragement and direction in the study of political affairs
with which they will constantly be expected to deal in their
ordinary relations as citizens. But the committee believes that
this study of American government can be distinctly vitalized by
the introduction of such comparisons with European practices and
forms as will supply the student with a broader basis of
philosophical conclusions as to constitutional development and
administrative practices.

The Committee is of the opinion that despite the very marked
increase of courses in American government within the past few
years, one of the immediate needs is the further extension and
enlargement of these courses. In only a few institutions is
enough time given to the subject to permit anything more than the
most cursory survey of the various features of the government,
and almost invariably state and local government suffer in the
cutting process which is necessary. About seventy institutions
only give courses in which state and local government are the
basis of special study. In order that state and local government
shall be given more consideration, and in order that judicial
procedure and administrative methods shall receive more than
passing notice, it is absolutely necessary that the time allotted
to American government be increased. Nothing short of a full year
of at least three hours a week gives the necessary time and
opportunity do anything like full justice to the national, state,
and local units.[42]

Because of the fact that only a small percentage of the student body
elects this course under present conditions, and because the majority
of those who do elect it never have an opportunity to continue the
study of government, it is thought that the selection of American
government for the beginning subject has the tendency to foster
provincialism. When but one course is taken this one, it is contended,
should deal with foreign governments, to supply a broader basis for
the comparison of political institutions. As the study of government
is introduced in the grades and thorough and effective instruction is
offered in the high school, it will become increasingly practicable to
introduce the comparative method in introductory courses.

=Sequence of courses=

One of the difficulties in the instruction in political science which
has rec