Repeating History From the Academy

At every level of schooling in America, the study of history has been declining. Not seldom the historical discipline is abandoned in favor of courses in “special social problems.” And of course the boob tube has made its inroads: who wants Thucydides when we have Barbara Walters? The professors of history are alarmed. They, at least, recall the observation of Santayana that those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it.

Mr. Richard S. Kirkendall, executive secretary of the Organization of American Historians, made an interesting report late in 1975 on this sorry decay of historical studies. Since then a considerable variety of newspapers and organizations have tested or questioned students and teachers. All these surveys have been disheartening.

RK

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Russell Kirk

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At every level of schooling in America, the study of history has been declining. Not seldom the historical discipline is abandoned in favor of courses in “special social problems.” And of course the boob tube has made its inroads: who wants Thucydides when we have Barbara Walters? The professors of history are alarmed. They, at least, recall the observation of Santayana that those who ignore history are condemned to repeat it.

Mr. Richard S. Kirkendall, executive secretary of the Organization of American Historians, made an interesting report late in 1975 on this sorry decay of historical studies. Since then a considerable variety of newspapers and organizations have tested or questioned students and teachers. All these surveys have been disheartening.