- Nov 2017
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engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu
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every citizen
Here, the term "citizen" needs to be understood differently from how it is interpreted now. In fact, at that time only white males were considered citizens, excluding black slaves and women. Thus, "every citizen" seems like incorporating a wide, broader range of people whereas access to the university was actually very narrow.
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The Commissioners for the University of Virginia having met, as by law required at the tavern in Rockfish gap on the blue ridge,
This indicates that the Law required the Commissioners to meet, but it interesting to note that they met in a "tavern". It seems odd that the birth of a university took place in a place as little connected to knowledge and education as a tavern.
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The Commissioners for the University of Virginia having met, as by law required at the tavern in Rockfish gap on the blue ridge, on the 1st. day of August of this present year 1818, and having formed a board, proceeded on that day to the discharge of the duties assigned to them by the act of the legislature intituled an “act appropriating part of the revenue of the literary fund and for other purposes” and having continued their proceedings by adjournment from day to day to Tuesday the 4th: day of August, have agreed to a report on the several matters with which they were charged, which report they now respectfully address and submit to the legislature of the state.
This was the day that everybody got together to discuss the building of the university. On this day they discussed where the location would be, what would be taught at the school and much more. This day was historical because it set the precedence for what the school would be like today. @sarah brickman 111
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Geometry elemental is that of straight lines and of the circle
Knowing that this type of math was around back then is astounding. I did not know there were advancements in geometry. I also did not know there would be so many different things taught at the university because the most popular subjects back then were reading, writing and arithmetic. @sarah brickman 111
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- Oct 2017
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engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu
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To harmonize & promote the interests of agriculture, manufactures & commerce and by well informed views of political economy to give a free scope to the public industry.
This passage emphasizes the shift in values regarding environmental practices interwoven with economical studies. Although an industrial shift justifies the trivialization of the importance of learning about agriculture, I don't think it's rightful for the entire sect to be ignored. While learning about agriculture has decreased, the McIntire School has grown drastically. Surrounding the entire University are forests and farms and most civilians are not in touch with such a lifestyle. In this passage, Jefferson is describing the importance of these two being promoted in harmony. I think this needs to be reevaluated in the University today- informing students more of the environment around them. -nan marsh
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Acoustics or Phonics, the theory of sound
I find it interesting that Acoustics and Phonics are labeled together. Both fall under the category of sound, however, one has to do with both music and architecture while the other has to do with language. Acoustics, for Thomas Jefferson at least, seemed to have been very important to his architectural design. The echo-chamber that is the Dome Room is something that Thomas Jefferson must have thought about, and I'm sure that this would influence his desire to have the same subject taught in the University. At this time period, phonics would have been a course of study in order to help people understand the science behind speech. I find this interesting because in todays world, we rarely learn the science behind acoustics (maybe a little bit in high school physics) but we learn phonics from the day we are born as our parents attempt to get us to pronounce words. -Tim Irish
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It will form the first link in the Chain of an historical review of our language through all its successive changes to the present day, will constitute the foundation of that critical instruction in it, which ought to be found in a Seminary of general learning and thus reward amply the few weeks of attention which would alone be requisite for its attainment. A language already fraught with all the eminent sciences of our parent Country the future Vehicle of whatever we may Ourselves atchieve and destined to Occupy so much space on the Globe, claims distinguished attention in American Education.
It is quite striking to find such a clear statement that emphasizes the importance of participating in "historical review" while linking that review to the "present day"--for this type of review and analysis is exactly what UVA's first-year students are undertaking. It makes it evident that even the Rockfish Gap Report was meant for critical review. In the past, and the present, nothing is perfect--human words have always been scrutinized and will continue to be reviewed as long as media exists. With an emphasis on science within our language (as described), we are able to formulate effectively factual claims. Scientific discovery has flourished since the time of this report, however, it becomes more and more difficult to know what information is true and what information has been fabricated by the news media. The importance of opening up this informational language to students becomes vital to the creation a nation that vicariously breathes truth through its citizens. -Tim Irish
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The 1st. duty enjoined on them was to enquire & report a site in some convenient & proper part of the state for an University, to be called the “University of Virginia
Why was determining the location of the University the most important action, before establishing values and goals of the establishment itself? Having a physical space may have been an important first step in determining just that- allowing the Commissioners to visualize what sort of academia they wish to develop, in regards to the physical space it takes up and surrounds.
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Medicine
It's very interesting that the University's original classes only consisted of two medical-type classes. They said that medicine was important, however, the means of teaching it in depth were not justified. It was said that there were no hospitals nearby, and not a large enough population of poor people to attend it. I find it funny that now UVA has one of the most prestigious medical schools, and it started out barely teaching medicine.
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- Sep 2017
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engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu engagements2017-18.as.virginia.edu
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.”In this enquiry they supposed that the governing considerations should be the healthiness of the site, the fertility of the neighbouring country, and it’s centrality to the white population of the whole state:
I find it interesting that Jefferson was an architect, a great one at that, and yet he didn't specify that the site must be on a beautiful landscape that would match up to his equally as beautiful buildings. Perhaps this is what he meant when he said, "healthiness of the site"?
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To enlighten them with mathematical and physical sciences which advance the arts & administer to the health, the subsistence & comforts of human life:
Alludes here to a liberal arts education, how all spheres of learning interact and impact one another. How balance and variety are essential for a comfortable human life
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