University of Virginia Library

CORCORAN SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL SCIENCE.

Prof. Holmes.
Adjunct-Prof. Dabney.

In this School are two classes—one of General History, the other of the
Processes of Historical Change. Either class may be taken separately, or
either branch of the latter class.

I. General History.—In this class the story of advancing civilization is
followed through the succession of the leading nations, from the commencement
of authentic and continuous history to the Age of Revolution still in
progress. An effort is made to impress the vital connection of nation with
nation, of generation with generation, and of anterior with ensuing conditions
of historical development. The rise, the decline and the fall of States
are referred to their causes. The political, intellectual and social condition
of the people in the more prominent periods is carefully expounded; and the
sources of their power and prosperity, or of their weakness and impoverishment,
are noted, so far as the necessary limitation of the subject will permit.
The object contemplated is to present the human family in History as an
organic unity, all of whose parts at all times, and through all successions,
are thoroughly independent.

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Text books. Smith's History of Greece; Marivale's History of Rome (abridged by
Puller); Gibbon's History of the Decline and Fall of Rome (abridged by Smith); Lodge's
Modern History; Labberton's New History and Historical Atlas.

II. The other class embraces Political Economy and the Science of
Society, Political Economy being considered as a subordinate branch of
social investigation.

1. Political Economy.—In the treatment of this department of knowledge,
there is no rigid adherence to the school of Smith, Ricardo, and
Mill. The modification of older doctrines, necessitated by the increase of
productive inventions and productive operations, is steadily regarded. Attention
is paid to the inquiries and criticisms of Thornton, Cairnes, Jevons,
etc.; and the altered views propounded by Laveleye, Walker, and the school
of the Cathedrists are duly considered.

Text-book.—Walker's Political Economy (advanced course).

2. Science of Society.—The latter half of the course in this class is
devoted to the Science of Society.

In this is prosecuted the investigation of the laws and movements, the
growth, decay and constitution of Societies, in the different phases and stages
of social development. The necessary organic functions of Society are
studied in their several forms. They are also regarded in their reciprocal
relations and in their conjoint action in successive forms of civilization All
systems are interpreted: no ideal constitution is contemplated. The course
is descriptive of processes by which experienced results have been obtained;
not speculative in advocacy of theoretic dreams.

The Class is dependent on notes on the Lectures, as no text book exists.