Dynamics of the Contemporary University - (Clark Kerr Lectures on the Role of Higher Education in Socie) by Neil J Smelser (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This book is an expanded version of the Clark Kerr Lectures of 2012, delivered by Neil Smelser at the University of California at Berkeley in January and February of that year. The initial exposition is of a theory of change-labeled structural accretion-that has characterized the history of American higher education, mainly (but not exclusively) of universities. The essence of the theory is that institutions of higher education progressively add functions, structures, and constituencies as they grow, but seldom shed them, yielding increasingly complex structures. The first two lectures trace the multiple ramifications of this principle into other arenas, including the essence of complexity in the academic setting, the solidification of academic disciplines and departments, changes in faculty roles and the academic community, the growth of political constituencies, academic administration and governance, and academic stratification by prestige. In closing, Smelser analyzes a number of contemporary trends and problems that are superimposed on the already-complex structures of higher education, such as the diminishing public support without alterations of governance and accountability, the increasing pattern of commercialization in higher education, the growth of distance-learning and for-profit institutions, and the spectacular growth of temporary and part-time faculty.

From the Back Cover

"These lectures, presented by a master of the social and structural complexities of American higher education, offer an unmatched window into today's university. Neil Smelser's analysis of the forces of change--and resistance to change--is brilliant, wide-ranging and consistently thoughtful." --Richard C. Atkinson, President Emeritus of UC San Diego

"One of Neil Smelser's many gifts is his talent for remarkable summaries that lead to new levels of understanding. This is especially important for his elaboration of Clark Kerr's conception of the "multiversity." Smelser updates the conception, describing its ramifications, its connections to the present-day research university and the formulation of higher education policy past and present. This is a truly delightful and momentous read." --Sheldon Rothblatt, Professor of History Emeritus and former Director of the Center for Studies in Higher Education, University of California, Berkeley

"I finished Neil Smelser's book with admiration and a renewed appreciation for his extraordinary capacity of objective, disciplined and fine grained analyses of complex institutions. This is a refreshing work that will stand over time as a guide to understanding both the situation of universities today and their evolution." --Hanna Gray, former president of the University of Chicago

About the Author

Neil J. Smelser is a University Professor Emeritus of Sociology and former director of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences at Stanford. He is a former president of the American Sociological Association, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and a fellow of the American Academy of Political and Social Sciences. He joined the UC Berkeley faculty in 1958 and has authored fifteen books, including The Theory of Collective Behavior.