An Academic Counter-Revolution: The Roots of the Current Movement To Reform Undergraduate Education.

Overview & Synopsis

An explanation of the roots of the current movement to reform undergraduate education is presented. It is suggested that the reform movement is a reaction against the dominance of the research university. Several reports about the state of undergraduate education are cited, including "Involvement in Learning,""To Reclaim a Legacy," and "Integrity in the College Curriculum." Forces set in motion by the academic revolution and mass education are identified that contributed to the erosion in undergraduate education, and especially liberal education. The academic revolution brought about an emphasis on research and graduate education, as well as specialization in a discipline by faculty. Four types of activities that characterized alternatives to the academic revolution in undergraduate education are considered: making more intellectual demands on students, strengthening general education, specifying outcomes and assessing them, and creating academic community. The reports about undergraduate education served to promote a set of values that stood against the academic revolution, which emphasized the research university and graduate education. 40 references. (SW)