The Social Responsibilities of Universities
GENED 1122
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
What do universities owe society?
Since their origins in medieval Europe, universities have been granted special privileges because they have been understood to contribute to the social welfare. Do these privileges incur corresponding obligations on universities? Should they influence how universities educate their students or create, share and preserve knowledge or conduct their internal affairs? Given that universities have a significant impact on society, what principles should guide their activities to ensure that they serve the public good? While universities have been expected to serve society, they also espouse values, such as academic freedom, institutional autonomy and neutrality, that some see as antithetical to social engagement. The image of the ivory tower, remote and removed from society, captures this vision of the university. As a result, there has been tension about how universities can both serve society and remain true to these core values. This course examines how questions about universities’ social responsibilities have been debated and enacted over the past century in the context of American higher education. Taking into consideration these lessons from the past, students will be asked to develop their own conception of how a university should engage in society.
Class Notes
This course has an enrollment cap. Before you can enroll, you will need to submit a petition. If your petition is approved, you will have the opportunity to enroll, should seats be available.
For timely updates and detailed instructions about entering the Gen Ed lottery, please see https://gened.college.harvard.edu/courses/registration-and-lottery/
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
NOTE: This course requires additional sections; you will be prompted to choose secondary components during the Add to Cart process
