A History of International Studies
at The George Washington
University
For more than a century, George Washington University has offered students an unbroken succession of international affairs programs. The institutional forerunners of the Elliott School, began with the School of Comparative Jurisprudence and Diplomacy which, though it lasted only seven years (1898-1905), was followed by:
- The School of Politics and Diplomacy, 1905-1907
- The College of the Political Sciences, 1907 C1913
- The Department of International Law and Diplomacy
(within Columbian College), 1913-28
- The School of Government, 1928-1960
- The School of Government, Business, and International Affairs, 1960-1966
- The School of Public and International Affairs, 1966-1987
- The School of International Affairs, 1987-1988
- The Elliott School of International Affairs, founded in 1988.
Table of Contents:
(Please click on appropriate time line demarcated by the arrows)
School of Comparative Jurisprudence and Diplomacy
The School of Politics and Diplomacy, 1905 C1907
The College of the Political Sciences, 1907-1913
The Department of International Law and Diplomacy
(within Columbian College), 1913-28
The School of Government, 1928-1961
Groping for Institutional Independence, 1948-1966
Thirty-Four Years Ago It Was Called the School of Public and International Affairs
Getting Organized with Hiram Stout, 1966-1969
The Sapin Years: Growth Within Limits, 1969-1983
A Time of Transition, 1983 - 1985
Dean Maurice A. East, 1985 - 1994 and
The Elliott School of International Affairs, 1988
An Era of Innovation and Growth, 1995-2005
New Leadership: Building on a Solid Foundation, 2005-Present
Note: This history of the Elliott School of International
Affairs was written by Dr. Peter Hill in 1991. It appears
here with minor revisions. Dr. Hill is Emeritus Professor
of History and International Affairs. Since retiring
from active teaching in 1996, Dr. Hill continues to serve
the George Washington University as the University Historian.
Subsequent updates have been written by the staff of the Elliott School’s Office of Public Affairs.
