Item 137 - Letter from Mary Parker Follett to Henry Sidgwick

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Introduces herself as 'the American to whom you so kindly gave lectures in political philosophy in the May term.' Gives a brief sketch of the state of history teaching in United States schools, and reports that in the main it consists of narrative history, while nothing is known of political science and political philosophy. Believes that a teacher with knowledge of these subjects 'could infitrate much into her pupils and make history much more valuable to them'. Asks Sidgwick's opinion on her contention that history instructors in elementary school should know history as political science. Anxious to make a contribution to the teaching of history. Reports that she has been asked to give a lecture on political science to students between the ages of seventeen and twenty in a large school in Boston as a sort of experiment. Asks Sidgwick for his opinion on the best way to teach political philosophy. Expresses her enjoyment of the lectures of his lectures that she attended the previous Spring. Asks if she may use his name in quoting from anything he may say, and also to give his opinion on the value of political science as an introduction to history.