JESUIT RATIO STUDIORUM OF 1599
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Letter of Transmission of the Ratio of 1599
Rules of the Provincial
Common Rules of Professors of the Higher Faculties
Rules of the Prefect of Lower Studies
Rules for Written Examinations
Laws for Prizes
Common Rules for the Teachers of the Lower Classes
Rules of the Scholastics of the Society
Instruction for Those Engaged in the Two-Year Review of Theology
Rules of the Academy
Notes to the Translation
In rhetoric class eight prizes are to be offered: two for Latin prose, two for Latin verse, two for Greek prose, two for Greek verse. In the class of humanities and in the highest grammar class six prizes are offered exactly as above, but omitting the two for Greek verse, which is generally not practiced before rhetoric class. In all lower classes four prizes are to be offered, but no prize will be given for Latin verse. Moreover, in each class a prize should be awarded to one or two who have surpassed the rest in their knowledge of Christian doctrine. Where the number of pupils is very large or very small, the number of prizes may be increased or decreased provided that Latin prose be always held in higher esteem than anything else. The written competition should be spread over several days, so that one day may be assigned for Latin prose, another for Latin verse, and two other days, one for Greek prose, the other for Greek verse.
2 All shall assemble in their respective classrooms on the days and at the hours appointed for writing. Once the students have received the topics of the composition, no one may leave the classroom before the composition has been finished and handed in, and no one may talk to another either inside or outside the classroom. Should it be necessary for anyone to leave the room, and permission has been granted, his theme out- line and whatever has been written must be deposited with the person in charge at the time. If anyone wishes a longer time for perfecting his composition, he may stay as long as he wishes, provided he does not leave the classroom and does not continue beyond sunset. When a student has completed and if he wishes revised his work and wishes to leave, he should sign his paper, not with his real name but with a pseudonym, and hand it in to the presiding official. On a separate sheet he should write his full name together with the pseudonym, and deposit this in a sealed envelope so that his name cannot be seen. The prefect of studies should faithfully guard all the papers, and he should not unfasten the papers containing the names of the contestants until the decision of the judges has been rendered. Let three qualified and mature judges be chosen, one of whom may be an extern if local custom calls for it. They are not to know the names of the pupils to whom the papers belong. After reading through all the papers and examining them with care, they shall arrive at a decision by majority vote and report in the order of merit the winners in each type of composition together with one or two next in rank. In rating the papers the judges should place organization and style ahead of mere quantity. If two papers are of equal merit in matter and style, the longer paper should rank above the shorter. If the tie is still not broken, let spelling and finally penmanship be decisive. If no decision can be reached, let the prize be divided or doubled or awarded by lot.
3 Should anyone surpass all other contestants in every type of composition, let him receive a prize for general excellence. When the decision has been arrived at, let the prefect with the rector and the general prefect open the envelopes which contain the identification slips. They should then double check the real and the assumed names to avoid error, and reveal the names to no one but the teachers. Then on the appointed day, with as much eclat and before as large a gathering of people as possible, the names of the winners should be publicly announced. The winners should come before the whole assemblage and each receive his award with due honor. If any winner is absent and has not been excused by the prefect for a sufficiently serious reason approved by the rector, he loses his award no matter how well he deserves it. The herald shall announce the prize winners individually in this way: “May this occasion be a happy and auspicious one for the pursuit of the humanities and for all students of our school! First, second, third prize for Latin prose composition, Greek prose, Latin verse, Greek verse has been merited by and is awarded to.“ Then he shall hand the prize to the winner, generally reciting a few lines of verse especially appropriate to the occasion, which are to be taken up and repeated by the chorus, if this can conveniently be arranged. Lastly, if any deserve honorable mention, the herald shall announce their names and award them honorable mention in place of a prize. No one who has violated these regulations or has been guilty of dishonesty shall receive any consideration for his paper.
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