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The Marketplace Of Ideas: Reform And Resistance In The American University (2010)

by Louis Menand(Favorite Author)

3.51 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

0393062759 (ISBN13: 9780393062755)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

W. W. Norton & Company

review 1: I was hoping for a more sustained and coherent argument about higher education and/or reforming it. However, Menand's analysis is remarkably concise (and breath-taking in a sense!) with sparking clear prose. An analytic and stylistic achievement. While the book offers argument-via-exposition (and subtly in smaller Menand makes), I don't find this method strong enough, considering the topic and purpose for the book.
review 2: The author presents, from a historical perspective, four problems facing Higher Education. He begins his thoughts by stating "The American university is a product of the nineteenth century, and it has changed very little structurally since the time of the First World War" (p. 17). He addresses 1) General education 2) The Humanities 3) "Inte... morerdisciplinarity" and 4) Why Professors think Alike. His discussion is interesting, and one would assume that there would be suggestions for reform (based on the title), but if reform was discussed, I missed it. This is a fairly quick read and I would suggest that anyone thinking of pursuing a Ph.D. read the fourth essay. I also admit that the first piece on general education was intriguing less

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