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THE HISTORY and DEVELOPMENT of SHORT COURSES D.L ANDERSON DEPT. of SHORT COURSES MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY FORWARD Michigan State University has compiled an impressive record in the field of education. Not only was the institution the very first agricultural college in America - the one after which all the rest patterned - but it has also made a significant contribution to the agricultural economy of this state through its widely-acclaimed system of in-school abbreviated instruction, known generally as "Short Courses." Based on the premise that it is not possible - or even practical - for every farmer in the state to receive a college education in the conventional four-year curriculum, these courses of instruction may run from two weeks up to two years in length, and are designed to cover all phases of practical agriculture. In the early years, the curriculum included everything from how to shoe horses to the maintenance and operation of steam tractors. Today, although the emphasis is still on the practical aspects of farming, modern techniques and skills are taught in keeping with the highly-demanding "space age." On the following pages, a complete history of the development of these "Short Courses" at Michigan State University is presented. Hopefully, these pictures and descriptions will awaken some nostalgic memories among those who know first-hand about the early days, and deepen others' appreciation for the foresight and wisdom of those early pioneers who contributed so much to our lives of today. |