================= HES POSTING ================= As only an observer of this list, I will keep my comments short as they are anecdotal in nature. That is, I will discuss my own experience. I received my Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 1992 though I started in 1982. Way back then, History of Thought was required. It was taught by Tracy Mott with such distinguished predecessors as George Zinke and Kenneth Boulding. I and several classmates fought to maintain this requirement on the very grounds brought up by one discussant, that is, that it differentiated CU from many other programs. Needless to say, we lost to the math/econ view. The requirement was dropped and now CU has suceeded in moving up in the "rankings" of Ph.D.-granting institutions. I always maintained that the second tier schools were attempting to emulate Harvard, MIT, Chicago et al long after Harvard, MIT, Chicago et al had ceased being what the others were emulating. Is this so? I do not know and am not sure that I care that much any more. Have a happy discussion. Ed Slattery ============ FOOTER TO HES POSTING ============ For information, send the message "info HES" to [log in to unmask]