DePauw University - Mirage Yearbook (Greencastle, IN)

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Saxon and English Languages and Literatures, Logic, Rhetoric, Political Economy, History of Civilization and International Lawf' All l1'reshmen were required to take Ridpathls United States History the third term, the Sophomores, three terms of 'l'halheimer's Ancient Mediaeval and Modern History, and the Seniors, one term of Guizotls History of Civilization. No elective courses were offered. ln the latter part of the reign of lJ.r. Ridpath, affairs in the history department began to take on new forms, and during the time in which Mrs. Mans- lield, and Colonel Weaver occupied the chair of this professorship, the work grew steadily in modern methods and depths of treatment. Dr. Andrew Stephenson,' who graduated from De Pauxv in 1882, and took his lJoctor's Degree at Johns Hopkins University, was elected Pro- fessor of History in 1894. Under the present regime, the department has advanced to the highest point in modern methods of lecture and research Work. Dr. Stephenson, an ardent student himself, is an inspiration to every student in his department. All the history Work is purely elective, and every lflreshman looks with awe on the man iwho is brave enough to undertake the vigorous training, While every Senior who has not taken history, looks with envy on the one who has. Dr. Stephenson spent several months of last year in: research work in England, and since his return has placed his private library for the use of his students. This is the finest library of originaldocuments west of the Alleghany Mountains, if not in America. With such resources for mental development and true scholarship, the history department ranks among the strongest in the University.

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Department of History Andrew Stephenson, Ph. D. A liistorvy of this depztrtlnent should follow the gdnerztl lnw of all histories :ind l . . i hc-gin SUll1ONVll0l'U, shall we sity :in the :tgi- ol' l4rndil'ion? We might follow the plain ol' the old Anglo-Saxon writers and hm-gin with the ci-ezttion of tho world, but thori- nre too inztny centuries between the begin- ning of the world ztnd the beginning ol' the history dopuirtinent to mnlce such an ' we go linick to the sources of inforinzltion, We lind that they lend like the history ol' 4' oui'-fellas, the Anglo-Snixons, into 11. more F'squirrel-trztclc which :linztlly goes up at tree. On this tree we see at ditto, 1852, und. we leztrn that Miles' J. Fletclieri' taught history in Old Asbury :lt that time. Tracing down the line we see the names of B9l'll2l,l.'Cl JI. Nzidztl, Ben- jznnin '17, Hoyt, John Clztrk Ridpztth, Mrs. Belle A. Mansfield, Col. Jzunos ,Riley Weaver, till we come to Dr. Andrew Stephenson. Of those eztrlic-r ones we know but little, of the lztter ones We have more complete records. However, it is inte,-Nesting to note the development of the department, through the fifty years that have passed since the first recorded teacher was elected. In 1867, 'Benjztmiu Hoyt died, and for two years there was no history taught. Then, in 1869, Dr. Ridpnth was elected Prol'essor of .linglish Literature and Norina.l Instruction. History was one of the subjects inclnded in Normal flnstrnction. In 1871, the title of the Cllllill' was changed to Professor of ,Belles-Lettres ztnd History. After five years more of development, We read in the year-book of 1876, 'L from this chair are taught English Composition, History of the United States, outlines of Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern History, the Anglo- chroniele either ploztszmt or prolitzthle. ll'

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Department of Political Science James Riley Weaver, A. M., B. D. The study of political science in. its various phases is today occupying the minds of scholars, reformers and states- nien. The importance of this subject is i so well. recognized throughout the World that it is given a high place in university and college curriculums. In De Pauw University the department of political science is among the most important. .lt embraces specifically the science and philosophy of the state or society politi- cally organized. But the state depends so essentially on organized society in gen- eral, that the science and philosophy el' society fall naturally within. its scope. The state springs logically from organ- ized society, but for the sake of clearness, Colonel. Weaver has his classes study the theory of state before sociology g the latter, being more complex and indeli- nite, requires more intellectual maturity. Then he takes up the special phases of political science, Viz : those of law and econoimics. The close rela- tion of ethics to these subjects is not overlooked g and the Vital importance of history is emphasized. in this department, since all social theory and philosophy must be tested by historical data properly interpreted. The historical-philosophic method is the only safeguard against ideology on the one hand and empiricism on the other. D The laboratory method has proven its su.peri.ority, particularly in sociological subjects, consequently. no special text-books are required. Specific subjects are investigated by the students, as co-laborers with the professor. By too much. help the intellect is blunted and must rather be quiekened to sclF-dependence. Colonel VVeaVer has published several