History of Pennsylvania State University

Catalog description

This course examines the complex history of Penn State. The time period covered extends from mid-19th century origins as the Farmers' High School to the highly complex, multi-faceted, modern "research university" of the early 21st century. The course will study closely: the conduct, leadership, perspectives, and educational visions of notable presidents, administrators, and faculty (such as George Atherton, Edwin Sparks, Ralph Hetzel, Milton Eisenhower, Eric Walker, Jesse Arnelle, Howard Davidson, Della Durant, Seth Williams among many others); various dimensions of student life (including student protest and the demise of loci parentis); race and gender relations; athletics; and the challenges of university life, research, admissions, co-education and achieving diversity in the post-World War II era. The Penn State experience will be examined in the context of larger historical developments in American higher education, student life and attitudes, and the broad political / economic / social and legal environment. Comparisons will be made to other colleges and universities. Using primary and secondary historical sources, this course pursues a distinctly historical angle; particular emphasis will be placed on chronicling and evaluating change over time and thoughtful consideration of a diversity of voices and perspectives