Research Catalog

Title

Dynamics of the contemporary university : growth, accretion, and conflict / Neil J. Smelser.

Author

Smelser, Neil J.

Publication

Berkely : University of California Press, [2013]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

x, 139 pages; 24 cm.

Summary

• "This book is an expanded version of the Clark Kerr Lectures of 2012, delivered by Neil Smelser at the University of California at Berkeley in January and February of that year. The initial exposition is of a theory of change--labeled structural accretion--that has characterized the history of American higher education, mainly (but not exclusively) of universities. The essence of the theory is that institutions of higher education progressively add functions, structures, and constituencies as they grow, but seldom shed them, yielding increasingly complex structures. The first two lectures trace the multiple ramifications of this principle into other arenas, including the essence of complexity in the academic setting, the solidification of academic disciplines and departments, changes in faculty roles and the academic community, the growth of political constituencies, academic administration and governance, and academic stratification by prestige. In closing, Smelser analyzes a number of contemporary trends and problems that are superimposed on the already-complex structures of higher education, such as the diminishing public support without alterations of governance and accountability, the increasing pattern of commercialization in higher education, the growth of distance-learning and for-profit institutions, and the spectacular growth of temporary and part-time faculty"--
• "This book is an expanded version of the Clark Kerr Lectures of 2012, delivered by the author at the University of California in January and February of that year. The initial exposition is of a theory of change--labeled structural accretion--that has characterized the history of American higher education, mainly be not exclusively of universities. The essence of the theory is that institutions of higher education progressively add functions, structures, and constituencies as they grow, but seldom shed them, yielding increasingly complex structures. The first two lectures trace the multiple ramifications of this principle into other arenas, namely (a) the essence of complexity if the academic setting; (b) the solidification of academic disciplines and departments; (c) changes in faculty roles and the academic community; (d) the growth of political constituencies; (e) academic administration and governance; and (f) academic stratification by prestige. The final chapter analyzes a number of contemporary trends and problems that are superimposed on the already-complex structures of higher education. The major trends are diminishing public support without alterations of governance and accountability; the increasing pattern of commercialization in higher education; the growth of distance-learning and for-profit institutions and the spectacular growth of temporary and part-time faculty. ic freedom"--

Series Statement

The Clark Kerr lectures on the role of higher education in society

Uniform Title

Clark Kerr lectures on the role of higher education in society.

Subject

• Universities and colleges > United States
• Universities and colleges > United States > Administration
• Educational change > United States

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 117-131) and index.

Contents

1. Dynamics of American Universities -- 2. The Dynamics Ramify: Academic Politics, Conflict, and Inequality -- 3. Contemporary Trends: Diagnoses and Conditional Predictions.

Call Number

JFE 13-5078

ISBN

• 9780520275812 (hardback)
• 0520275810 (hardback)

LCCN

2012039812

OCLC

818734552

Author

Smelser, Neil J.

Title

Dynamics of the contemporary university : growth, accretion, and conflict / Neil J. Smelser.

Publisher

Berkely : University of California Press, [2013]

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

The Clark Kerr lectures on the role of higher education in society

Clark Kerr lectures on the role of higher education in society.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 117-131) and index.

Research Call Number

JFE 13-5078