Higher Education Policies PDF Print

ΚEΠ7 - Higher Education Policies

Tutor: Yiouli Papadiamantaki

Semester: 5th
ECTS: 4.5

Short Description:

The course is structured in two parts.
The first part analyzes critically the current discourse concerning the role of the university and the reforms that policy makers all over Europe present as necessary in order for the university to fulfil its role in “the knowledge society”. This discourse is compared with older discourses (Humboldian vs. Enterprise university) and rationales concerning the social role of the university.
The second part focuses on higher education policies promoted at the European level in the last decade (e.g. Lisbon Strategy, Bologna Process, European Higher Education Area, European Research Area), in relation to the creation of a “Europe of Knowledge” and the implications for the governance and steering of higher education institutions. The second part sheds light on the case of Greece, with emphasis on the implementation of the policy for the broadening of access and quality assurance in higher education.

Aims:

The aim of the course is to assist students to:

  • Acquire basic knowledge concerning the history of the university and its evolution as a “knowledge producing” institution; to discern the values embedded in each type of university and to reflect upon them.
  • Acquire basic knowledge concerning the state - higher education relationships
  • Acquire basic knowledge, discern and compare various modes of higher education governance.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Development of generic competences: understanding, critical analysis and comparison of basic concepts.
  • Development of writing skills/ability to compose an essay
  • Introduction to research (literature research, evaluation and prioritisation of acquired information)
  • Development of basic professional skills (organisation and presentation of information within a limited period of time, public speaking skills, IT skills, use of PowerPoint)

Structure:

13 three-hour lectures.

Assessment:

Students are graded on the basis of an essay (up to 5000 words) submitted at the end of the course. The topic of the essay is set upon discussion with the tutor. The presentation of the essay accounts for 20% of the grade.

Bibliography:

Åse Gornitzka (2007), “The Lisbon process: a supranational policy perspective”, in P. Maassen and J. P. Olsen (eds.), University Dynamics and European Integration, pp. 155-178, Springer.
Guy Neave and Peter Maassen (2007), “The Bologna process: an intergovernmental policy perspective”, in P. Maassen and J. P. Olsen (eds.), University Dynamics and European Integration, pp. 135-154, Springer.
Johan P. Olsen and Peter Maassen (2007), “European Debates on the Knowledge Institution: the modernization of the university at the European level”, in P. Maassen and J. P. Olsen (eds.), University Dynamics and European Integration, pp. 3–22, Springer.
Johan P. Olsen, (2007), “Institutional Dynamics of the European university”, in P. Maassen and J. P. Olsen (eds.), University Dynamics and European Integration, pp. 25-54, Springer.
Tutor’s Notes.