PRACTICES AND OBJECTIVES IN TRAINING FOR FOREIGN SERVICE REPORT OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FOREIGN SERVICE TRAINING, WASHINGTON, DECEMBER 26, 1923 INTRODUCTION Eighteen States and the District of Columbia were represented at the second conference of collegiate instructors in foreign service training subjects, which was held at the New Willard Hotel, Washington, D. C., December 26, 1923, under the direction of the former advisory council and committee of fifteen on educational preparation for foreign service, now known as the National Council on Foreign Service Training. This conference was the outgrowth of a small round-table conference held under similar direction at the Hotel Sherman in Chicago, December 27, 1922. Preliminary to the latter conference the chairman of the National Council on Foreign Service Training, Dr. G. L. Swiggett, requested two groups of men engaged in the service of Government and business for an opinion based on experience in regard to necessary educational preparation for their respective types of work. Each group expressed the belief that overspecialization was not desirable; that technique should come late in the course of study; that the maximum of English should be offered; and that chemistry should be taken as the basic science. The business group urged as essential studies: A course in general geography of collegiate grade on a commodity basis, general economics, industrial history of the United States, at least two foreign modern languages, and accounting and finance. This group expressed the belief further that typewriting and stenography are essential; advanced courses in government unnecessary; that the economic aspects in collegiate foreign service subjects should be stressed early; and that opportunity be found for continued training on the job. It is the belief of those who have had experience in the consular and diplomatic service that one for eign modern language, well taught over a long period of years, is preferable-if two are studied they should be from different groups, like French and German; that history is the most important of secondary subjects; that thorough courses in general history should precede regional treatment of economic history; that algebra and plane geometry be required; that typewriting and knowledge of accounts are necessary tools; and that a course in general science and at least three years in Latin be offered in the high school. With the above suggestions in mind it was decided at the 1922 Chicago conference that the following subjects, with unit requirements, will best serve as secondary preparation for further collegiate study in foreign service subjects: English, 4; modern language, 4— at least three units in one language; American history, 1; English history or modern European history, 1; economic geography, 1; mathematics-algebra and plane geometry, 1; chemistry or physics, 1; civics, ; elective, 1; 15 units in all. COURSES OF STUDY The following courses of study 2 have been designed to meet the needs of colleges and universities for a four-year articulated and motivated course of study in preparation for overseas service of Government and business as well as for general economic and political culture. Established educational practice has been considered in their preparation. Specifically, course of study A is designed as preparation for service in commerce; course of study B, for consular and diplomatic service. COURSE OF STUDY A. Freshman year, first semester.-English, 3; modern language, 5; economic history, Europe since 1750, 3; mathematics, 3, or laboratory science, 5. Second semester.-English, 3; modern language, 5; American economic history, or economic resources, 3; mathematics, 3; or laboratory science, 5. Sophomore year, first semester.-Modern language, 3; principles of economics, 3; accounting, 4; transportation, 3; contracts, 3. Second semester.— Modern language, 3; principles of economics, 3; accounting, 4; transportation, 3; agency, 3. Junior year, first semester.-Modern language, 3; business organization, 3; money and banking, 3; marketing, 3; foreign trade practices, 3. Second semester.-Modern language, 3; statistics. 3; corporation finance, 3; sales administration, 3; foreign trade practices, 3. Senior year, first semester.-Modern language, 3; foreign exchange, 3; international trade principles, 3; marketing studies of major commercial areas: Europe, Far East, Near East, Latin America, 6. Second semester.-Modern language, 3; foreign credits, 3; international trade policies, 3; marketing 1 With emphasis upon the economic aspects. 2 The figures after the subjects, arranged by year and semester, refer to number of hours per week offered in each subject. studies of major commercial areas: Europe, Far East, Near East, Latin America, 3; foreign investments. 3. COURSE OF STUDY B. Freshman year.-(Same as in COURSE A.) Sophomore year, first semester.-Modern language, 3; American Government and politics, 3; American history, 3; principles of economics, 3; elective, 3. Second semester.-Modern language, 3; English history, 3; American history, 3; principles of economics, 3; elective, 3. Junior year, first semester.-Modern language, 3; European history, 3; English Government, 3; commercial and maritime law, 3; money and banking, 3. Second semester.-Modern language, 3; European history, 3; governments of Continental Europe, 3; commercial and maritime law, 3; foreign investments, 3. Senior year, first semester.-Modern language, 3; international law, 3; international trade principles, 3; political history of Europe and Near East since 1850. 3; American foreign relations, 3. Second semester.-Modern language, 3; international law, 3; international trade policies, 3; political history of Far East and Latin America since 1850, 3; American foreign policies, 3. NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FOREIGN SERVICE TRAINING The National Council on Foreign Service Training was appointed on request of the first public conference on this subject, which was organized by the chairman of the council and held in Washington December 31, 1915, under the joint auspices of the Pan American Union, the Consular Service of the Department of State, the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, and the United States Bureau of Education. Through the effort and investigation of the council, the purpose that underlay its appointment has been kept steadily in mind, namely, to plan for and promote a type of training which would not only give to business and to the service of the Government at all times an adequate supply of properly trained personnel, but would aid in building an intelligent and informed public opinion on all matters relating to foreign contacts and relations of our Government and our people. Through the United States Bureau of Education the council has aided in the establishment of broad foundational work in our schools and colleges for subsequent foreign service study, particularly in the field of business education, including the modern languages and social studies. It has helped in coordinating the various types and grades of schools offering instruction in these fields, in securing larger opportunities for the study of well-planned sequences in languages, science, and social studies, in order that our future graduates might enter the foreign service of the Government and of business with a broad background in addition to essential technique. The council has also stimulated the interest of organized business and education for better preparation for foreign service, it has participated in conferences on this subject in connection with annual meetings of business men and educators, and has encouraged the publication of statistics, reports, etc., relating to foreign service training. The National Council on Foreign Service Training consists of the former members of the committee of 15 and its advisory council. The former constitute the active members of the council; the latter, the advisory, all of whom are representative men of the Government, of business, and education. The active members of the council are E. D. Adams, Stanford University; E. L. Bogart, University of Illinois; James Carter, National City Bank of New York; J. Anton de Haas, New York University; Stephen P. Duggan, director of the Institute of International Education, New York City; James C. Egbert, Columbia University; E. B. Filsinger, of Lawrence & Co., New York: W. F. Gephart, First National Bank, St. Louis; Howard C. Kidd, University of Pittsburgh; Howard T. Lewis, University of Washington: W. F. Notz, Federal Trade Commission; Leo S. Rowe, Director General Pan American Union: C. D. Snow, Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America: H. A. Tosdal, Harvard University; and G. L. Swiggett, United States Bureau of Education, chairman. Among the projects which now engage the attention of the active members of the council may be mentioned the following: A report on foreign service training in foreign countries; the preparation of a syllabus for a one-semester course on foreign trade for use in colleges and universities; and the program of coordinated student travel for study or otherwise in foreign countries. NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON FOREIGN SERVICE TRAINING Topic of the National Conference on Foreign Service Training, Washington, December 26, 1923: Practices and objectives in training for foreign service of Government and business. General chairman of the conference, Glen Levin Swiggett. PROGRAM Afternoon Session, 2 o'clock, New Willard Hotel Topic: Selected Collegiate Types, with Emphasis upon Methods and Motivation L. S. Rowe, Director General, Pan American Union, presiding Ohio State University-Eugene Van Cleef, Chairman of Foreign Commerce Division, College of Commerce and Journalism. Georgetown University-W. Coleman Nevils, S. J., Regent, School for Foreign Service. New York University-J. Anton de Haas, Professor of Trade and Transportation, School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance. Dartmouth College-Frank R. Rutter, Professor of Foreign Commerce, Amos Tuck School of Administration and Finance. Harvard University--G. B. Roorbach, Professor of Foreign Trade, Graduate School of Business Administration. Evening Session, 8 O'clock, New Willard Hotel Topic: Foreign Trade and Foreign Service; Structure and Functions of Agencies, with Emphasis upon Opportunities for Placement William F. Notz, Dean of the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, presiding Business-William S. Culbertson, Vice Chairman, United States Tariff Commission. Commercial Organizations-Edward L. Bacher. Assistant Manager. Foreign Commerce Department, United States Chamber of Commerce. Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce-E. Dana Durand, Chief, Eastern European and Levantine Division. Diplomatic and Consular Service-Wilbur J. Carr, Director of Consular Service. |