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[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']I found this at the Washington & Lee University web site. It looks as if Gen. Lee give birth to the discipline(History) that many of us have a passion for. Can we say that Gen. Lee was a History freak like many of us.[/font]
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Quote:
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']The History Department encourages students to [/font][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']learn about the past (people, culture, government and ideas), to [/font][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']think critically and analytically, and to [/font][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']write and speak accurately and clearly. [/font][FONT='Times New Roman','serif'][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']These skills enrich us as individuals and prepare us to deal with the complexities and ambiguities of the contemporary world.[/font][/font]
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[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']The Department welcomes students who choose to make History their major, those who want to study history to fulfill their foundation requirements, and those who love history and wish to take our courses as electives.[/font]
A Little of Our History— Washington and Lee University was one of the first colleges to offer a program in the "new" field of history. Prior to the Civil War it was rare to find a professor of history on an American college campus. All that changed in Lexington with the arrival of R.E. Lee as President in 1865. Lee and his faculty expanded the "sphere of the college operations" when he appointed W&L’s first Professor of History and Literature.
In 1868 a specific department of history emerged, focusing on ancient and modern history, with readings from Gibbon, Hume, McCauley, Arnold, Guizot, and other classic authors. During the late 1880s, offerings expanded to include specialized ("more minute") studies in English and Virginia history. By the early 20th century the department offered "conferences" or seminars in American history with the "preparation of papers" based on "original research." By 1910 the department, the curriculum, and the catalogue took on a modern look with new surveys and advanced courses in ancient, medieval, early modern, French, English and American history.
Something for us to ponder...
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__________________
"States Rights are about States Wrongs" - Jesse Jackson
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']The History Department encourages students to [/font][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']learn about the past (people, culture, government and ideas), to [/font][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']think critically and analytically, and to [/font][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']write and speak accurately and clearly. [/font][FONT='Times New Roman','serif'][FONT='Times New Roman','serif']These skills enrich us as individuals and prepare us to deal with the complexities and ambiguities of the contemporary world.[/font][/font]
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif'][/font]
[FONT='Times New Roman','serif']The Department welcomes students who choose to make History their major, those who want to study history to fulfill their foundation requirements, and those who love history and wish to take our courses as electives.[/font]
A Little of Our History— Washington and Lee University was one of the first colleges to offer a program in the "new" field of history. Prior to the Civil War it was rare to find a professor of history on an American college campus. All that changed in Lexington with the arrival of R.E. Lee as President in 1865. Lee and his faculty expanded the "sphere of the college operations" when he appointed W&L’s first Professor of History and Literature.
In 1868 a specific department of history emerged, focusing on ancient and modern history, with readings from Gibbon, Hume, McCauley, Arnold, Guizot, and other classic authors. During the late 1880s, offerings expanded to include specialized ("more minute") studies in English and Virginia history. By the early 20th century the department offered "conferences" or seminars in American history with the "preparation of papers" based on "original research." By 1910 the department, the curriculum, and the catalogue took on a modern look with new surveys and advanced courses in ancient, medieval, early modern, French, English and American history.
Much better read!
__________________
"States Rights are about States Wrongs" - Jesse Jackson
19th Century education was largely a "classical education" with latin, greek, rhetoric, mathematics and chemistry. Ancient history was only learned as a result of studying latin or greek. Thus, Herodotus, Thuycidides, Plutarch, Plato, Marcus Aurelius were part of the exposure of university education. American history wasn't taught (even at West Point which emphasized engineering) back then.
First, I want to apologize for the poor cut and paste job..
I never would a thought History would have been a new Discipline in 1860's but it makes sense if you think of it as being part of "classical education".
I wonder why R.E. Lee would have made History one of the first thing when expanding the studies at Washington & Lee.
I was just hoping he was a history freak but maybe it was just a matter of being practical or an administrative function.
Mind Freeze!
__________________
"States Rights are about States Wrongs" - Jesse Jackson
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Gen. Lee... A History Freak?? 
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