University of Virginia Library

CORCORAN SCHOOL OF HISTORICAL SCIENCE.

Prof. Holmes.

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 interdependent.

Text-books.—Smith's History of Greece; Merivale's History of Rome (abridged
by Puller); Gibbon, History of the Decline and Fall of Rome (abridged by Smith);
Lodge, 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.—Mill's Political Economy (abridged by McLaughlin).

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 the 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.