University of Virginia Library

Science of Society.

Professor Holmes.

In this class there are two courses, each extending over a half session.

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, Marshall, etc.; and the altered views propounded
by Laveleye, Walker, and the school of the Cathedrists and
other German schools, are duly considered.

Text-books.—Walker's Political Economy (advanced course); Mill's Political
Economy (abridged).

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.

This Class is dependent on notes for the Lectures, as no text-book exists.