This paper examines the concept of academic freedom and its history and contrasts the ideal of academic freedom with the social, cultural, and economic constraints that are regularly placed upon the faculty.
Abstract This paper explains that academic freedom is the concept that faculty, and in some cases, students, should be able to study, write, and publish the truth as they see it, free of doctrinal interference from the administration, the church, the corporation, or the state. The author points out that the concept of academic freedom, which is more prevalent at Western colleges and universities, has its roots in the 17th century, the beginning of the modern era. The paper relates that the power of alumni to shift the direction of a university tends to be limited because most alumni do not have sufficient money to make much of a difference, but this cannot be said for corporations, such as drug companies, which often have almost inconceivably large amounts of money and clearly focused needs and desires.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Beginnings of Academic Freedom
German Universities Create Modern Traditions of Academic Freedom
Academic Freedom in the Modern University
Corporate Pocketbooks and Academic Freedom
Conclusion
From the Paper "The development of a more fully modern concept of academic freedom came about in the 17th century not because of the work or writings of academics themselves but rather through the work of scholars such as John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Locke and Hobbes were not in fact particularly interested in the rights of university faculty per se; they were, however, interested in the rights of all members of a society to certain basic freedoms. Their arguments about liberty and individual rights helped to define the era of the rise of modern democracies, one element of which has been the university that is freed from the church."
Abstract This paper serves as a proposal for the study of research findings on questions relating to the overall quality of public schools and private schools in America. The author has devised a research study,which is to include the collection of data from a broad spectrum of relevant sources, such as current students of public and private schools, parents and guardians of students in public and private schools, teachers and administrators from public and private schools, graduates and alumni from public and private schools, and finally the general public. The questions the research study is to focus on are: (1) Which type of school is perceived as providing the highest quality education to students? (2) Which type of school is perceived as being the best value? (3) How should public and private schools co-exist and function within our society? and (4) Which subsets of the population (current students, former students, parents of students, school staff, and others) hold which opinions? This paper is divided into three chapters. The first chapter summarizes the purpose of the research study and defines public and private education. The second chapter is a literature review, detailing previous research and then suggesting that this body of work is insufficient to fully address the question of public vs. private education. The third chapter presents the methodology of the author's study, including how the population sample is to be chosen, what questions are to be asked of that sample population, and how the results of this survey are to be calculated.
Outline:
Chapter One
Introduction
Background of Study
Statement of the Problem
Purpose
Significance of the Study
Research Questions
Assumptions and Delimitations
Definitions
Summary
Chapter Two: Literature Review
Chapter Three
Methodology
Research Design
Site Setting
Population
Sample
Measurement Methods
Procedure
Ethical Considerations
Summary
List of Appendices
From the Paper "As this first chapter has demonstrated, there is a great deal of research that must be conducted in the area of school and education. The current educational system is divided into two major subsections: private schools and public schools. Public schools are funded by taxes and regulated by the government, while private schools are independently run and funded, with different laws and regulations for each of them in every school district and state. However, it is obvious that both of these types of schools are still experiencing difficulties and have not become ideal institutions as of yet. There are many social factors which are affecting and being affected by the state of the schools, and it is important for the future of youth and society as a whole that the educational system be properly evaluated so that improvements can be made. Public schools and private schools both demonstrate some positive traits as well as some negative. In order to get a complete image of the current state of public and private schools, the opinions, experiences, and suggestions of all related populations must be taken into consideration; current students of public and private schools, former students of public and private schools, parents of students of public and private schools, staff of public and private schools, and people who do not attend, work at, or have children in school all must have input into a complete survey of the school situation."
Abstract This paper explains that the student's goal is to include every country in the world in his or her endeavors to design and create ties, which will serve mankind no matter what country they hail from or what language they speak. The author points out that, after much research, the only method of achieving such a goal is through the knowledge gained at the program offered at the College of Design. The paper relates that the author is a strong candidate for the College of Design Alumni Scholarship because she is bright, vivacious, a hard worker, diligent, studious and serious in her attempt at gaining the resources necessary to succeed at a high level in the design field and because she will be an asset to this field.
From the Paper "I have proven in the past that I am serious about my goals and objectives and I plan to continue that behavior in order to reach my ultimate goal of becoming a proficient designer. I still have much to learn, but the knowledge I have already gained will bode well for my future and will assist me in my work and studies. I am the strongest candidate for this scholarship, not because I need it more than any other candidate (although I do) but rather because it would enable me to accomplish those things that I am most capable of accomplishing, things that others may have no interest in ..."
An exploration of the US Government Accountability Office's January 2007 seminar which focused on improving the global competitiveness of America's higher education system.
Abstract This paper discusses the issues raised at its January 2007 seminar by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). The paper explains that the purpose of the colloquium was to explore links between higher education and economic prosperity. The author uses examples and data from other sources to throw further light on the challenges highlighted by the seminar and the ensuing proposals for improvement.
Outline:
First Fundamental Questions
A Possible Way Forward
U.S. Advantages
Notable Numbers
Communication
New Markets
Funding
From the Paper "Worldwide, more than 2 million students study outside of their home country, while they simultaneously make "economic and foreign policy contributions to their host countries." In the past, the United States positioned itself as a global leader in higher education, qualifying as a prominent, desired destination for international students. Currently, however, a number of concerns trigger questions as to the extent America will be able to continue to attract an appropriate share of accomplished international students to its universities and colleges. ("Highlights of a GAO. . . ," 2007)"
Abstract The paper argues that affirmative action is more necessary at schools that practice legacy admissions to ensure a diverse student body and to help create a more egalitarian society. The paper contends that legacy admissions further entrench the financially and culturally elite in positions of power. The paper suggests possible ways of mediating the needs of Ivy League universities with the needs of disenfranchised students. The paper concludes with the strong belief that affirmative action remains necessary in a nation that still suffers from one of the largest income disparities of any developed country.
From the Paper "Oxford and Cambridge Universities, inarguably among the most prestigious universities in the world, outmoded legacy admissions even though doing so meant accepting revenue losses. Legacy admissions remain a cherished part of the Ivy League university system in America, though, revealing an ironic scenario. Suddenly the United States appears the more class-oriented, elitist society versus Great Britain. American independence was fought partially over the pull toward increased egalitarianism in society. In spite of the ideals that still characterize American culture: individual opportunity and the American Dream, our culture clings to outmoded practices that perpetuate income disparity and class conflict."
Abstract This paper discusses the return on college quality and the difficulties in measuring it. The paper examines measurements by five researchers regarding the return students receive on college quality. It summarizes each articles and provides background and evidence for their findings. The paper concludes that there is little evidence of a discriminating way to measure collegiate quality.
Table of Contents:
"Measurements" Related to Collegiate Quality
College Quality and Future Earnings: Where Should You Send Your Child to College?
In Brief
Motivation
Background
Evidence
Does It Pay to Attend an Elite Private College? Cross-Cohort Evidence on the Effects of College Type on Earnings
In Brief
Motivation
Background
Evidence
Estimating the Payoff to Attending A More Selective College: An Application of Selection on Observables And un-observables, (1999)
In Brief
Motivation
Background
Evidence
How Robust is the Evidence on the Effects of College Quality? Evidence from Matching
In Brief
Motivation
Background
Evidence
Determinants of undergraduate GPAs: SAT scores, high-school GPA and high-school rank. (2004)
In Brief
Motivation
Background
Evidence
Discussion
What Matters...
College Considerations
From the Paper "As the study by Cohn, Cohn, Balch and Bradley (2004, 578) was limited to 521 students attending Principles of Economics at Moore School of Business, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, the researchers contend it to be inappropriate to generalize their results to the entire student body at their school and/or beyond. The authors propose, one of their most convincing arguments, nevertheless, that as students must complete a course in Principles of Economics, this study serves to provide a fair representation of that group and that ensuing results prove significant in considering the effect of scholarship criteria."
