Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1886 [PAGE 180]

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172 It is intended to emphasize the connection of events, the continuity and unity of history, and the relations of the mediaeval period to both the ancient and modern times is often dwelt upon. The beginnings of institutions found in modern times are looked for and studied, and the attempt is made to illustrate and explain the modern conditions and relations of nations from a view of their origin and growth. In the third term the history of modern Europe is studied, to the close of the Napoleonic era, with reference, as far as time permits r to the present state of the nations considered. I have always tried to impress upon my classes the fact that the work possible in this year of study is but an outline, a preparation for further study, which must be done in order to obtain the most value from the time spent in the required course. In the first term of the senior year the history of civilization is studied. The condition of man in barbarism is first considered, and the attempt is made to discover the causes and means of his progress through different stages of civilization. The oriental civilizations follow and then that of Greece and Eome, with comparisons and a consideration of the causes of differences. I have ordinarily required five or six essays in this term, from each member of the class, on various subjects assigned, connected with the work in hand. The following are some of the subjects given: "Relation of the useful and fine arts to civilization." "Comparison of oriental and Greek civilization," "Arab civilization,'* "Education and religion as related to civilization," "The civilization of the present compared with that of the past." The first part of the term's work, to the fall of Rome, has been by lecture and readings upon topics. After this the class has gone through Guizot's "History of Civilization," with parallel reading. My classes have accepted long lessons and hard work very kindly and have done more reading than I might have sometimes expected when the pressure of other studies is taken into consideration. I do not think the students of this University are surpassed by those of any institution in their readiness to do extra work, in doing cheerfully all they can. I have been almost surprised, sometimes, at the good temper of my classes under pressure that was rather severe. In the second term of the senior year Constitutional History is studied. After some general considerations on government and its needs and relations to man in society, the study of the English Constitution follows. Though a text-book is used as a basis for this work quite a list of works of reference in the library is given, and considerable outside reading is done. The study of the United States Constitution follows the English, and the connection between the two is shown, America's inheritance in English liberty. This is the concluding term of the course of historical study. The full course is required only in the College of Literature and Science, but all the * colleges require the last term, I believe.