University of Virginia Library

Political Economy and Science of Society.

Professor Holmes.

In this class there are two courses, each of three lectures a week throughout
the session. Political Economy will be prosecuted for the B. A., and Science
of Society for the Ph. D. degree.

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, Nicholson,
etc.; and to the altered views propounded by Laveleye, Walker, and the school
of the Cathedrists and other German schools.

Text-Books.—Walker's Political Economy (advanced course); Mill's Political Economy
(abridged). [Subject to change.]

Science of Society.—In this (the Post-graduate course) 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.