I think that the fact that this table is included in this document is quite remarkable because it reveals exactly what subjects the founders of the University believed would educate the youth of that point in time in order to ensure their success in the students’ futures. The “branches of learning” were determined solely by what this group of notable authors believed would be the most influential to man’s success, whether they choose to pursue careers in government, medicine, business, etc. The topics are extremely broad to give a general overview of what the founders considered important, but it would be interesting to see a document of the details of each curriculum's requirements. Overall, not only does this list reveal the extent of what the founders thought was significant to teach students, it reveals how much (and how little) the world had progressed by the time of the creation of the University.

I think that the curriculum of a history class during the time of this document’s conception would be really interesting to read about because a lot of what we learn in school today are the events and the politics that occurred after the early 1800’s. The focus of a contemporary history class in 1817 would be completely different than the focus of a history class today. Though much of what we learn in school occurred prior to UVA’s creation, it’s still amazing how much the world and the University has changed over the years. It’s also interesting that politics and law was incorporated with history, but it’s likely because not much could be said about American politics and law during the early 1800’s because the U.S. government was still in the making.

Parallels can be drawn between the Rockfish Gap Report and the Declaration of Independence though one document was created to establish a university and the other to establish a new democratic nation. Both documents were outlets in which Thomas Jefferson dictated his influence over an institution or union with the help of other renowned leaders. It is also somewhat ironic that this document was signed on August 4th, exactly one month after the Declaration was signed but 42 years later. The number of men involved in the creation of this report is significant because it reveals that extensive planning, effort, and compromise went into the establishment of the University, similar to that of the creation of the Declaration of Independence mentioned in the chapter entitled “The People” in Our Declaration. Additionally, the document provides insight into the growth of the United States and the importance of the education of men involved in civics and civic engagement. Jefferson's diplomatic and leadership skills are displayed within these two documents, proving that though he had his faults, he was an exceptional and accomplished leader for his time.

“Medicine” (under course section) Obviously medicine was essential to society during the time of the University’s founding, but practical and effective medicine in general was a concept that still wasn't mastered by many during the 1800's. Though there were only two classes to take at UVA involving medicine, it's impressive that the University strove to teach medicine to its students in the first place. The University was and is a prestigious institution that likely kept up with new medical procedures and technologies as they surfaced in the states or abroad, though money and budgeting for the medical ‘program’ appears to be an issue in this report.

The lack of technology and resources available to UVA at the time is also a reflection of how much medicine has evolved, especially if you compare medicine of the past to the feats in medicine of today’s world. Additionally, medical practices during the time of the University's conception consisted of amputating limbs from battle wounds and performing surgeries without general anesthesia, demonstrating that though these practices appear antiquated now, they were essential to teach for the greater good of society.

https://www.livescience.com/7678-book-tells-horror-18th-century-surgery.html