"End the University As We Know It"
Posted by benarmstrong on 4/27/2009 11:08:29 AM.
This policy was first proposed by Mark Taylor, Chairman, Columbia University Dept. of Religion.
Level of Government: National
Status: Proposed

Abstract
Background:
In lamenting the ever-increasing specialization of higher education in America (i.e. dissertations about the religious symbolism of 17th century antiques in southwest Ghana), Mark Taylor proposes a rather radical new framework for undergraduate and graduate studies in American colleges and universities.
Purpose:
To promote creativity in American higher education; to enhance flexibility in graduate studies; to increase professorial energy and quality; and to restructure curriculum in order to reflect current, practical problems and their interdependency.
Plans:
1. University curricula should be "cross-disciplinary" and "cross-cultural."  Taylor proposes that universities organize departments in a web that allows scholars and students to study problems that affect more than one classic discipline like philosophy, economics or chemistry.
2. Center university learning on problem-solving and critical thinking.  The proposal submits that courses and programs should be temporary and address certain major issues and problems facing the world.  Taylor's example is water.  Universities could develop programs to study how water can be used as an energy and a nutritive resource.  The problem-based programs would be subject to review and up for renewal each seven years.
3. Experiment with alternative certification for graduate school.  Classic dissertations, the policy argues, do not add to the universal body of knowledge as much as projects that mergeacademic innovation and technological advancement.
4. Expand the potential career opportunities for graduate students.  Structure graduate training in order to prepare studetns for high-level work in government and business.
Resources:
The plan does not outline specific costs, but would require political movement before implementation.  Specifically, teachers' unions would need to submit to the abolition of tenure and professors would need to increase their flexibility to develop new curriculum.

Policy Details
Professorial tenure would be abolished and mandatory retirement enforced.  Professors would be hired on renewable seven-year contracts in order to ensure continued accountability and high professorial quality.
The policy proposes that the American higher educational system deploy technology to promote collaboration between universities across the globe.  Videoconferencing and other electronic exchange will allow for students to interact with specialists and students abroad.  The proposal encourages permanent partnerships between universities that allow each institution to specialize in a subject area and benefit from a scholarly "comparative advantage." 
Related Links
Op-Ed Outlining Higher Ed. (Taylor, NYT): Professor Taylor of Columbia presents his six-point plan with justification in a newspaper editorial.

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"End the University As We Know It" proposed by Mark Taylor, Chairman, Columbia University Dept. of Religion
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