University in Crisis: From the Middle Ages to the University of Excellence

The university is in crisis due to debt, precarious teaching force, reactionary politicians, and budget constraints, but this book offers clarity and a defence of the institution as a privileged site for collective self-governance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 168 pages
Publication date: 20 November 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

The current state of higher education is in crisis, with debt-saddled students, precarious university teaching forces, reactionary politicians, and budget-constrained administrators all contributing to the problem. This book aims to bring clarity to these debates by reconstructing the university's history around the theme of crisis.

The university has been a site of intense debate and discussion since its origins in medieval Bologna, where it has been a place where humanity has grappled with some of the most pressing questions of individual and collective purpose. This book is not just a history of the university or a survey of contemporary debates, but also an impassioned defense of the university as a privileged institution through which threats to collective self-governance are most acutely felt and from which strategies for its rehabilitation can be most fruitfully developed.

The book begins by tracing the origins of the university in medieval Bologna, where it emerged as a center of learning and scholarship. It then explores the various crises that have affected the university over the centuries, including the Reformation, the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, and the rise of the modern state.

One of the key themes of the book is the role of the university in promoting individual and collective self-governance. The university has been a place where students have been able to develop their critical thinking skills, engage in intellectual discourse, and develop a sense of civic responsibility. However, the book also argues that the university has been increasingly threatened by forces that seek to undermine its autonomy and independence.

One of the most significant threats to the university is the increasing debt burden that students are facing. The book argues that the rising cost of higher education is a result of a number of factors, including government cuts to funding, the increasing cost of living, and the increasing demand for higher education. This has led to a situation where many students are graduating with large amounts of debt, which can have a negative impact on their future employment prospects and their ability to participate in the democratic process.

Another threat to the university is the increasing precariousness of the university teaching force. The book argues that the increasing demand for higher education has led to a situation where universities are hiring more and more part-time and adjunct faculty, who are often paid less than their full-time counterparts and have less job security. This has led to a situation where many faculty members are leaving the profession, which can have a negative impact on the quality of education that students receive.

The book also argues that the university has been increasingly politicized in recent years. The book argues that the rise of reactionary politicians and the increasing influence of corporate interests in higher education have led to a situation where the university is being used to promote a particular political agenda. This has led to a situation where the university is being used to justify policies that are harmful to the public good, such as cuts to funding for public universities and the privatization of higher education.

In response to these threats, the book argues that the university needs to be more responsive to the needs of its students and the broader community. The book argues that the university needs to be more affordable, more accessible, and more inclusive. The book also argues that the university needs to be more engaged in the public sphere, and that it needs to be more willing to challenge the status quo.

One of the ways that the university can be more responsive to the needs of its students and the broader community is by increasing its funding. The book argues that the government should increase its funding for higher education, and that it should do so in a way that is equitable and sustainable. The book also argues that the government should provide more support for students who are facing financial difficulties, such as through scholarships and grants.

Another way that the university can be more responsive to the needs of its students and the broader community is by increasing its accessibility. The book argues that the university should make its courses and programs more accessible to students from diverse backgrounds, and that it should provide more support for students who have disabilities. The book also argues that the university should be more flexible in its scheduling, so that students can work and attend school at the same time.

In addition to increasing its funding and accessibility, the university also needs to be more engaged in the public sphere. The book argues that the university should be more willing to challenge the status quo and to promote policies that are in the public good. The book also argues that the university should be more transparent in its decision-making processes and that it should be more accountable to the public.

One of the challenges that the university faces in becoming more responsive to the needs of its students and the broader community is the resistance that it faces from some members of the academic community. The book argues that some members of the academic community are resistant to change and that they are unwilling to engage in the public sphere. The book argues that this resistance is a result of a number of factors, including the fear of losing their jobs, the fear of losing their academic freedom, and the fear of losing their status in the academic community.

To address this resistance, the book argues that the university needs to be more inclusive. The book argues that the university should be more willing to hire faculty members from diverse backgrounds and that it should be more willing to provide support for faculty members who are facing challenges in their careers. The book also argues that the university should be more transparent in its decision-making processes and that it should be more accountable to the public.

In conclusion, the current state of higher education is in crisis, with debt-saddled students, precarious university teaching forces, reactionary politicians, and budget-constrained administrators all contributing to the problem. This book aims to bring clarity to these debates by reconstructing the university's history around the theme of crisis. The book argues that the university is a privileged institution through which threats to collective self-governance are most acutely felt and from which strategies for its rehabilitation can be most fruitfully developed. The book argues that the university needs to be more affordable, more accessible, and more inclusive, and that it needs to be more engaged in the public sphere. By doing so, the university can help to ensure that the benefits of higher education are available to all members of society.

Weight: 449g
Dimension: 237 x 158 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538174999