UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



BULLETIN No. 540 



Contribution from the States Relations Service 

 A. C. TRUE, Director 



Washington, D. C. 



PROFESSIONAL PAPER 



July 27, 1917 



A FIRST-YEAR COURSE IN HOME ECONOMICS FOR 

 SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL SCHOOLS. 1 



By Louise Stanley, Professor of Home Economics, University of Missouri. 



CONTENTS. 



Introduction 



Outline of lessons. 



Page. 

 1 



Page. 



Lessons for first year's course. 



INTRODUCTION. 



This bulletin outlines a course of study in home economics for 

 southern high schools. It emphasizes the connection between such 

 instruction and actual home experience and the danger arising 

 from formal methods of presentation. It calls attention to under- 

 lying general principles and applies them in a typical course of 

 study, which, while based on southern conditions, is applicable in 

 other communities. 



The aim of any course in home economics is to make the girl a 

 better home maker. By teaching her how to do, and the reasons 

 why, and as well by giving insight into the fundamental importance 

 of home making such instruction transforms housework from 

 drudgery into an honored profession. In the average home two 

 industries stand out — sewing and cooking— and there has been a 

 tendency to limit home economics instruction to them. If inter- 

 preted broadly to include their economic and hygienic relations, 

 cooking and sewing do furnish the basis of a well-rounded course; 

 but they should be supplemented by other subjects necessary for the 

 home maker. Knowledge of the homes of her community will best 

 assure to the teacher suitable subject matter and connect the school 

 work with home duties. 



1 This bulletin has been prepared in cooperation between the author and C. H. Lane, Chief Specialist in 

 Agricultural Education, as well as specialists of the Office of Home Economics, States Relations Service. 

 It is designed to aid teachers in presenting a course of Study in home economics which will connect such 

 instruction and actual home experiences. 

 83933°— Bull. 540—17 1 



