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The Brockport Normal School opened its doors in 1867 and offered three different courses of study for the entering student. The first and simplest option was called Elementary English. It consisted of two years of study in Arithmetic, Grammar, Analysis, Geography, Drawing, Algebra through Quadratics, Geometry, Elements of Chemistry, Physiology, Natural Philosophy, Rhetoric, Mental and Moral Philosophy, and Civil Government. An example of the 1868 curriculum is below.
The second course of study was called Advanced English and was three years of the above subjects with additional chemistry, physiology, natural philosophy, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, surveying, botany, geology, and astronomy.
The third and final course of study was called the Classical Course. This was the most difficult and it required four years of the above courses with the supplement of three years of Latin and two years of Greek or Modern Languages. The first two years of education were quite similar to the Elementary English Course of Study. An example of the last two years is below.
The Training School was a separate model that emphasized methods of teaching and gave a practical experience.
In 1871 there appeared to be a few changes in the courses offered. Vocal music, light gymnastics, and Methods of Teaching Object Lessons were added to the Elementary English Course. Perspective Drawing, light gymnastics, and General Literature were added to the Advanced English Course. The Classical Course was broadened with the addition of light gymnastics, Methods of Teaching Object Lessons, and Methods in Higher Studies.
By 1896 the curriculum had started to change. The Elementary English Course had disappeared and a Scientific Course took the place of the third option. The Scientific Course differed from the others in that only two years of languages was required. Otherwise, the course offerings had remained constant for a period of over thirty years. During this stretch of 1868-1898, 994 students graduated from the Brockport Normal School.
The turn of the century brought some more curricular changes to the Normal School. The revised English Course is below.
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First Year |
Second Year |
|
First Term |
First Term |
|
Rhetoric 2 |
Science Methods (1/2) |
|
General Methods (1/2 semester) |
Number Methods (1/2) |
|
Primary Methods (1/2) |
Drawing Methods (1/2) |
|
Psychology |
Music Methods (1/2) |
|
Drawing 2 (1/2 |
History and Science of Education |
|
Music 2 (1/2 |
Arithmetic Methods |
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Mathematics (1/2) |
Geography Methods 2 (1/2) |
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Language Methods (1/2) |
|
|
Observation |
|
|
Second Term |
Second Term |
|
School Economy (1/2) |
English Literature 2 |
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Civics (1/2) |
Teaching |
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Geography Methods 1 |
Astronomy (1/2) |
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Advanced American History |
|
|
Grammar Methods |
|
|
Rhetorical Work |
In 1907, high school graduation became mandatory for entrance into the Brockport Normal School. What had been the academic department of the Normal and Training School was transformed into the high school for the village of Brockport. The curriculum of this year until 1921 stayed the same with method courses as the core of education.
In 1912, the State Education Department had authorized a special course for the Brockport Normal School. It was called the Rural School Course and its purpose was to prepare teachers for efficient service in the rural schools of the state. The course was one year in length and granted graduates a diploma allowing them to teach in the rural schools of the state. An area was defined as rural if it contained fewer than 5,000 inhabitants. The curriculum of this program included Psychology, Methods of Language, Grammar and Composition, School Economy and Rural School Organization, Methods of Vocal Music, Methods of Arithmetic, Methods of American History, Methods of Drawing and Elementary Handwork, Methods of Geography, Methods of Primary Reading, Spelling and Phonics, Methods of Nature Study and Elementary Science, Penmanship, Methods of Physical Training, and Observation and Practice. This course remained for about ten years, and then in 1921 was changed to an elective, which was available, if enough students requested it.
In 1922 the curriculum changed substantially again. Students entering would be required to complete three full years to secure their elementary certificates. The new three-year curriculum was differentiated for students intending to teach in the Kindergarten-Primary years (grades 1-3); the Intermediate years (grades 4-6); and the Grammar years (grades 7-9). This new curriculum de-emphasized the methods approach that had characterized the early 1900’s courses of study. The course of study was as follows:
|
Kindergarten-Primary |
Intermediate |
Grammar |
|
First Semester |
First Semester |
First Semester |
|
Essentials of English 1 |
Same |
Same |
|
Health Education |
Same |
Same |
|
Arithmetic |
Same |
Same |
|
History (European) |
Same |
Same |
|
Introduction to Teaching |
Same |
Same |
|
Drawing |
Same |
Same |
|
Music |
Same |
Same |
|
Observation |
Same |
Same |
|
Second Semester |
Second Semester |
Second Semester |
|
Essentials of English |
Same |
Same |
|
Health Education |
Same |
Same |
|
Geography (general) |
Same |
Same |
|
Penmanship |
Same |
Same |
|
Music |
Same |
Same |
|
Psychology |
Same |
Same |
|
English Literature |
Same |
Same |
|
Observation |
Same |
Same |
|
Third Semester |
Third Semester |
Third Semester |
|
Primary Reading |
Drawing |
Drawing |
|
Health Education |
Health Education |
Health Education |
|
Kindergarten Theory |
Geography |
Geography |
|
Music |
Music |
Music |
|
Nature Study |
Nature Study and Elementary Science |
Nature Study and Elementary Science |
|
Handwork |
History |
History |
|
Technique of Teaching (School Economy and Observation) |
Technique of Teaching (School Economy and Observation) |
Technique of Teaching (School Economy and Observation) |
|
Fourth Semester |
Fourth Semester |
Fourth Semester |
|
Tests and Scales |
Tests and Scales |
Tests and Scales |
|
Sociology |
Sociology |
Sociology |
|
History of Education |
History of Education |
History of Education |
|
Kindergarten Theory |
Music Appreciation |
Music Appreciation |
|
Industrial Arts |
Physical Training |
Participation |
|
Participation |
Participation |
Health |
|
Health |
Health |
Elec. & J.H.S. Field |
|
Fifth Semester |
Fifth Semester |
Fifth Semester |
|
Library |
Library |
Library |
|
Specialized Psychology |
Specialized Psychology |
Specialized Psychology |
|
Songs and Games for Children |
Reading Methods |
General Science |
|
Reading Methods |
Participation |
Music |
|
Participation |
Conference |
Drawing |
|
Conference |
Elective |
Literature |
|
Elective |
History |
|
|
Geography |
||
|
Mathematics |
||
|
Economics |
||
|
Participation |
||
|
Sixth Semester |
Sixth Semester |
Sixth Semester |
|
Observation and Practice Teaching |
Observation and Practice Teaching |
Observation and Practice Teaching |
|
Children’s Literature |
Principles of Education |
Junior High School English |
|
Conferences |
Conferences |
Conferences |
|
Principles of Education |
Penmanship |
Principles of Education |
|
Handwork |
Reading and Juvenile Literature |
Penmanship |
1934 brought more curriculum changes, which aimed to educate future teachers in the knowledge of elementary schools, understanding of child development, and technique in the use of subject matter as a means of educating a child. Such courses as Child Development, Evolution of the School, Modern Elementary School Principles, and Practicum in Teaching were introduced.
It was also at this time that a fourth year of formal education was envisioned to supplement the three-year Normal School course by introducing an "in service" year. Courses included here were Principles of Education as a continuation of professional preparation, and Modern Poetry as well as Modern Social Trends.
In 1937, Brockport Normal School introduced a summer session into the curriculum for the first time. This gave students the opportunity to accelerate their schedule and graduate early. Past graduates also had the opportunity to return and complete the fourth year if they graduated before it was implemented. The following is the 1941 summer curriculum.
|
English |
|
|
201-202 |
Advanced Composition and Speech |
|
302 |
American Literature |
|
405 |
The Chaucerian Age |
|
408 |
The Modern Novel |
|
Social Science |
|
|
201 |
Contemporary Civilization |
|
301 |
American History |
|
402 |
Sociology |
|
408 |
International Relations |
|
Education |
|
|
201-202 |
Child and the Curriculum |
|
402 |
Seminar in Education |
|
Psychology |
|
|
406 |
Mental Hygiene |
|
Health Education |
|
|
202 |
Personal Hygiene |
|
407 |
Organization and Administration of Health, Physical Education, and Safety |
|
Science |
|
|
301 |
Introduction to Geography |
|
403 |
Geography of Asia |