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  2. EDU A710N

Why Can’t Higher Education Change? Obstacles and Opportunities
EDU A710N

Course Information

Description

Resistance within traditional higher education to anything more than incremental change is profound. We will in this class explore the causes for this resistance and explore questions including the following: Why is an industry populated by so many people who identify as politically liberal so conservative when it comes to its own practices? Why are scholars whose 
disciplines are constantly evolving so reluctant to embrace institutional evolution? Why do colleges and universities that so often speak in their mission statements about the transformative power of education find it so difficult to transform themselves? In addition to examining the obstacles to change, we will explore strategies for overcoming those obstacles and consider the various forms that higher education might take in the future.

School Graduate School of Education
Credits 2
Cross Reg

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Department Education
Course Component Regular Course
Instruction Mode In Person
Subject Education
Grading Basis HGSE Student Option (Letter Graded, Sat/Unsat)
Learning Goals —understanding of the structural and cultural forces that limit change in higher education —exploration of alternative and disruptive models within higher education in the US and around the world —basic understanding of the economics of higher education —basic understanding of the governance of higher education
Career Focus <p>Anyone working within or adjacent to higher education.</p>