A couple of months ago, we discussed the tendency of advertisers to use definite articles in inappropriate (or at least unnecessary) situations (as in "Unguent de Myrrh for the skin"). We might have added that something similar occurs in certain academic disciplines, where courses all too frequently address "Postmodernism and the Law" or "Advanced Study in the Calculus." Do the authors of these phrases have anything more in mind than "Postmodernism and Law" or "Advanced Study in Calculus"? Well, yes. The implication seems to be that whereas "law" or "calculus" alone is unsatisfactorily vague, amorphous, and inclusive, "the law" or "the calculus" refers to a recognizable body of rules whose very definiteness heightens its coherence and its worthiness--and by extension, the worthiness of those on familiar terms with it. On the other hand, people not initiated into the mysteries of "the law" or "the calculus" may find this usage laughably pretentious. 'Twas ever thus with the syntax.