Derek Bok Poradie kníh

A former Harvard president reflects on how elite universities are responding to critiques from the left and the right, and how they can do better

"Over its long history, undergraduate education has gradually evolved from its early years when colleges offered an exacting study of classical texts to the tiny segment of America's young men destined for careers as ministers, teachers, and civic leaders. After the United States began to industrialize during the 19th century, the demand for graduates with practical skills led eventually to the demise of the classical curriculum to make way for more useful and contemporary subjects. As the Gross Domestic Product grew rapidly in the decades following World War II, the need for competent managers and professionals grew with it. In response, the size and variety of vocational programs exploded to accommodate an enormous growth in the number of young men and women seeking to enroll. Today, the undergraduate curriculum may be entering a new phase. The needs of an increasingly sophisticated economy coupled with advances in the cognitive sciences have given rise to intriguing possibilities for helping students to acquire additional competencies and qualities of mind that could enable them to live more successful, useful, and satisfying lives. This book asks a straightforward question: Do colleges and universities have the right curricula and pedagogy to prepare today's students for the future? Former Harvard president Derek Bok examines this question according to the following measures: Preparation for Citizenship; Preparing Students for an Interdependent World; Character; A Purposeful and Meaningful Life; Improving Interpersonal Skills; and Improving Intrapersonal Skills. He then explores Unconventional Methods of Teaching; Prospects for Change; and Reform; and concludes with Reflections on the Future"-- Provided by publisher

During the first decade of this century, many commentators predicted that American higher education was about to undergo major changes that would be brought about under the stimulus of online learning and other technological advances. Toward the end of the decade, the president of the United States declared that America would regain its historic lead in the education of its workforce within the next ten years through a huge increase in the number of students earning "quality" college degrees

Offering a comprehensive analysis of American higher education, the book balances praise for its strengths with a candid examination of its challenges. The author poses significant "big questions" that resonate with a diverse audience, showcasing a keen understanding of the complexities within the system. Through a blend of insightful commentary and practical wisdom, it stands out for its ambitious scope and common sense approach, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the future of educational institutions.

In "The Politics of Happiness," Derek Bok explores how decades of happiness research can inform government policy to enhance well-being. He discusses factors influencing happiness, such as income and community, and examines how insights from global studies could shape policies in the U.S. and beyond to improve citizens' quality of life.

Bringing together leading experts and scholars from around the world, this Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the latest theories and research on intercultural competence. It will be a useful and invaluable resource to administrators, faculty, researchers, and students.

The book examines the troubling trend of commercialization in academic institutions, revealing how universities are increasingly prioritizing profit over core educational values. Derek Bok highlights the financial motivations behind not only athletic programs but also educational and research initiatives. He discusses the implications of these practices on academic integrity and offers insights on how universities can mitigate the negative effects of this commercialization.

How executives and professionals are paid and how it affects America.

Bok concludes that the competition for the best students, the most advanced scholarship, the most successful scientific research, the best facilities--has helped to produce venturesome, adaptable, and varied universities. But because the process of learning itself is imperfectly understood, it is difficult to achieve sustained progress in the quality of education or even to determine which educational innovations actually enhance learning.