PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS 423 



The defence of the thesis consitutes the first part of the examina- 

 tion. The second part consists of an oral examination on prob- 

 lem and subject matter, chosen by the candidate and approved by 

 the Faculty. The candidate usually makes a list of the courses 

 he has pursued and the allied subjects he has studied; he is ques- 

 tioned on these subjects, which may be chosen among the courses of 

 the different Faculties. If he passes successfully, he is granted the 

 degree of Doctor with the mention of the specialty: " philosophy," 

 if that be the subject, on his diploma. 



The Significance of French Degrees conferred by the State, 

 and their Relation to our American Degrees. The system of State 

 degrees and diplomas in France is so intimately related to the gen- 

 eral evolution of French educational institutions, and is so unique 

 in many respects, that it is difficult to interpret it in terms of any 

 other system. Since, however, the main structure of the univer- 

 sity system is constructed about these degrees, it is especially im- 

 portant for the American student who enters this system to know 

 something about them. 



Baccalaureat. On completing successfully his secondary school 

 work, at the age of 17 to 19, the French student receives the 

 " baccalaureat de 1'enseignement secondaire" which permits him to 

 enter any of the Faculties or Schools of higher education, except 

 those admitting only on the basis of a competitive examination, 

 such as the "ficole poly technique." The " baccalaureat " repre- 

 sents, in general attainments in knowledge, method and tech- 

 nique, two years or so in advance of that represented by the 

 diplomas of our best high schools and preparatory schools. In 

 particular, the "baccalaureat" stands for a degree of specializa- 

 tion and technical proficiency as yet not attained in our secondary 

 schools. 



Licence. Most French students, on entering the university, 

 enroll as candidates for the degree of "licence " in one of the Facul- 

 ties in which it is conferred, Law, Sciences or Letters; or else they 

 work to obtain the "Certificate d'etudes physiques, chimiques et 

 naturelles," which is absolutely required for entrance on the regular 

 five-year course in medicine. 



The "licence en droit" is absolutely required for admission to 

 the bar in France, and confers that right. In general function, 

 then, it corresponds to our degree of Bachelor of Laws, except that 

 it comprehends also our State bar examinations. 



