Across the world, universities are more numerous than they have ever been, yet at the same time there is unprecedented confusion about their purpose and skepticism about their value. "What Are Universities For?" offers a spirited and compelling argument for completely rethinking the way we see our universities, and why we need them. Stefan Collini challenges the common claim that universities need to show that they help to make money in order to justify getting more money. Instead, he argues that we must reflect on the different types of institution and the distinctive roles they play. In particular we must recognize that attempting to extend human understanding, which is at the heart of disciplined intellectual enquiry, can never be wholly harnessed to immediate social purposes - particularly in the case of the humanities, which both attract and puzzle many people and are therefore the most difficult subjects to justify. At a time when the future of higher education lies in the balance, "What Are Universities For?" offers all of us a better, deeper and more enlightened understanding of why universities matter, to everyone.
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An eloquent and impassioned book Economist Collini is astute, analytical, and often killingly funny -- Bevis Hillier Daily Telegraph Collini is that rare bird, a don who can be read with pleasure -- Michael Barber Tablet, Books of the Year One of Britain's finest essayists and writers -- Ronan McDonald The Times Higher Education Supplement [A] timely lecture for the coalition of dunces ... this is a closely argued defence Independent on Sunday The book is a bit like some university courses. It is erudite, well argued, carefully researched, a fine addition to the debate about the purpose of university education Scotsman [Collini is] stern and splendid in his brief history of the hot debate on useful versus useless knowledge -- Fred Inglis Times Higher Education It is extremely well written: Collini's prose is lively, well-reasoned and persuasive. The book is a refreshing example of a faculty member engaging with the wider issues of higher education rather than perceiving them through the narrow prism of his own discipline ... a valuable, timely contribution to the discourse -- Gerry Wrixon Irish Examiner A critique both pointed and witty -- Howard Newby Independent Collini writes beautifully -- Chris Patten Financial Times Collini puts his finger on the nub of the problem facing universities. Collini's book is a must-read -- Ac Grayling Literary Review
About the Author
Stefan Collini has become one of the most respected voices in public debates about universities and their place in modern society.He is a Professor of Intellectual History and English Literature at Cambridge University and Fellow of the British Academy, who frequently contributes to The Guardian,The London Review of Books,The Times Literary Supplement and The Nation.Reviewers of the recent, Common Reading: Critics, Historians,Publics (2008), described him as 'one of Britain's finest essaysists and writers.'Other works include Absent Minds: Intellectuals in Britain (2006),Public Moralists (1991),Matthew Arnold: a Critical Portrait (1994) and English Pasts: Essays in History and Culture (1999).
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant essays on the purposes of universities
July 17 2012
By William Podmore
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
This brilliant and witty book indicts successive British governments' disastrous policies towards our universities. Their policies for higher education threaten Britain's economic, social, political and cultural life.
Between 1989 and 1997 the Labour government cut university funding per student by 36 per cent. In 1998 the Labour government introduced student fees and cut maintenance grants.
The Browne Report of 2010 and the White Paper of 2011 are the only two major policy documents on higher education in the last 50 years which did not call higher education a public good. The government wants us to think of university education as an investment in `personal capital' for private gain.
Between 1989 and 1997 the Labour government cut university funding per student by 36 per cent. In 1998 the Labour government introduced student fees and cut maintenance grants.
The Browne Report of 2010 and the White Paper of 2011 are the only two major policy documents on higher education in the last 50 years which did not call higher education a public good. The government wants us to think of university education as an investment in `personal capital' for private gain.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Piece of Polemic
Nov 1 2012
By Dr. Laurence Raw
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Written from the point of view of an embattled British academic trying to survive in a culture where government funding has been stopped for the humanities, WHAT ARE UNIVERSITIES FOR? calls for a return to what might be described as humanist values: a university education cannot always be measured in financial terms, but should be judged in terms of learner development. Any government minister involved in higher education should be forcibly ordered to read this book.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Esoteric information
Mar 25 2013
By Robin
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I found this work a bit to esoteric for my liking. It is well written but not quite what I was looking for. I would recommend it to all academics with plenty of time on their hands.
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