Difference between revisions of "End of Regenting System, 1708"
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The abolition of the regenting system was the cornerstone of the programme of reforms introduced by [[William Carstares (1649-1715)]] as [[Principal]] of Edinburgh University from 1703 to 1715. | The abolition of the regenting system was the cornerstone of the programme of reforms introduced by [[William Carstares (1649-1715)]] as [[Principal]] of Edinburgh University from 1703 to 1715. | ||
| + | The regenting system had been in operation since the [[Opening of Edinburgh University, 1583|opening of the university]] in 1583. Each 'regent' took the same class through all four years of their degree course, teaching all subjects himself, then recommenced the cycle with an new first-year (or ‘Bajan’) class. | ||
| − | + | In an effort to remodel Edinburgh University along Dutch lines, Carstares persuaded the Town Council of Edinburgh (16 June 1708) to abolish regenting in favour of a professorial system that assigned each of the subjects on the Master of Arts curriculum to a single teacher. The newly created chairs were offered to the existing regents. Thus Laurence Dundas became Professor of Humanity, William Scott, Professor of Greek, Colin Drummond, Professor of Logic and Metaphysics, Robert Stewart, Professor of Natural Philosophy, and William Law, Professor of Moral Philosophy. | |
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| + | The Faculties of [[Faculty of Arts|Arts]] and [[Faculty of Law|Law]] were constituted, and new chairs were established in Public Law, Civil Law, [[Anatomy]], [[Chemistry]], and Ecclesiastical History. | ||
Revision as of 16:07, 22 July 2014
The abolition of the regenting system was the cornerstone of the programme of reforms introduced by William Carstares (1649-1715) as Principal of Edinburgh University from 1703 to 1715.
The regenting system had been in operation since the opening of the university in 1583. Each 'regent' took the same class through all four years of their degree course, teaching all subjects himself, then recommenced the cycle with an new first-year (or ‘Bajan’) class.
In an effort to remodel Edinburgh University along Dutch lines, Carstares persuaded the Town Council of Edinburgh (16 June 1708) to abolish regenting in favour of a professorial system that assigned each of the subjects on the Master of Arts curriculum to a single teacher. The newly created chairs were offered to the existing regents. Thus Laurence Dundas became Professor of Humanity, William Scott, Professor of Greek, Colin Drummond, Professor of Logic and Metaphysics, Robert Stewart, Professor of Natural Philosophy, and William Law, Professor of Moral Philosophy.
The Faculties of Arts and Law were constituted, and new chairs were established in Public Law, Civil Law, Anatomy, Chemistry, and Ecclesiastical History.