A history of the College of Human Environmental Sciences at The University of Alabama
Non-credit 6-week class in foods listed in summer school. Six week term--$40 ($30 room/board; $3 each for books, registration, laundry); $1 hack & dray
First courses in home economics were created in summer session with Dr. James J. Doster as Director and Stella Palmer as an Instructor.
Five to seven courses were offered as electives in the ten-year period 1917-1927. Five to seven courses were offered as electives in the ten-year period 1917-1927. Instructors included: 1918-19 – Grace Hunsberger 1919-21 – Mary Newel Farris 1921-27 – Elisabeth Creighton
Courses offered in regular session in the College of Arts and Sciences Home Economics Department was listed in College of Arts & Sciences. Louisa J. Keys, Head of Department. Courses in CTD and FNIM--added a course (Foods, Cookery, and Household Management, and Sewing and Dressmaking) but not applicable toward degree. Students were asked to provide "two white aprons, two holders and 2 towels" 57 students enrolled. Catalogue announced home economics would be offered as demanded until a four year course leading to a degree has been obtained.”
The Survey Commission of 1919 recommended that the University offer home economics courses for general educational and cultural purposes and also recommended graduate and experimental work.
Six courses were offered.
Ten courses listed.
First year students could major in Home Economics in the College of Arts & Sciences. The Alabama Council on Education approved the establishment of a program in home economics and home economics education at the University. This action was taken after consideration of a brief on “Home Economics, an Essential Factor in the Education of All Women” prepared and presented to the Council by Dr. John R. McLure. Miss Agnes Ellen Harris appointed head of home economics in 1927. Dean of Women serving also as head of the department of home economics was appointed. She and an instructor comprised the home economics faculty. Agnes Ellen Harris—Margaret Dozier; Mrs. Hettie Floyd Powers, Assistant. Twenty-three courses in home economics were offered in 1927-28 catalog. A course in Social Problems of the Family was given in the Department of Sociology.
Agnes Ellen Harris, Dean of Women and head of Department of Home Economics, joined the University of Alabama faculty in 1927. Under her leadership, bachelors and masters degrees in four departments within the school were established. Enrollment grew from 77 students to a peak of 558 in 1949. During this time, The University of Alabama had the eleventh largest School of Home Economic in the United States. Dean Harris was known for her dedication to the education of women and her encouragement and interest in each of “her girls” at The University of Alabama. She died from a heart attack on December 18, 1952 while still serving as Dean.
