Topic: Commentary
Universities and the Poverty Narrative
Universities are supposed to prepare young people to become independent by teaching them critical thinking and preparing them for careers. When a young adult enters university, we expect him or … Continue reading “Universities and the Poverty Narrative”
Celebrating 20 Years of Academic Renewal
Since 2003, the James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal has been a voice for excellence in higher education. We are dedicated to promoting knowledge over credentials, restoring genuine liberal … Continue reading “Celebrating 20 Years of Academic Renewal”
Now Is the Time to Renew History Departments
In 2022, Jon Lauck published The Good Country: A History of the American Midwest, 1800-1900. His book describes a wonderful range of things to love about the 19th-century Midwest: its … Continue reading “Now Is the Time to Renew History Departments”
Despite Naysayers, UNC-Chapel Hill Climbs the Rankings
Yesterday, U.S. News released its 2024 Best Colleges Rankings. UNC-Chapel Hill moved up to number four among public universities and number 22 among all universities in the U.S. (up from … Continue reading “Despite Naysayers, UNC-Chapel Hill Climbs the Rankings”
“Bias” Reporting as Social-Credit Scheme
Digital-reporting systems on college campuses are not a new concept. Yet they are currently being manipulated, even exploited, to fuel a campus culture in which peers and even faculty patrol … Continue reading ““Bias” Reporting as Social-Credit Scheme”
What Happens When Schools Abandon Merit?
America’s educational institutions used to adhere to objective standards of excellence. Students and faculty members had to strive and were rewarded (or not) according to their performance. What their background … Continue reading “What Happens When Schools Abandon Merit?”
Faculty Are Not Fleeing the South
Last week, American Association of University Professors (AAUP) chapters and faculty unions in four Southern states released the results of a survey purporting to reinforce the notion of a higher-ed … Continue reading “Faculty Are Not Fleeing the South”
The College Classroom Can Be a Judgment-Free Zone
Step inside any gym and you’ll likely see a familiar sight: regular gym buffs, for whom the gym is a second home, using the workout machines with ease. You will … Continue reading “The College Classroom Can Be a Judgment-Free Zone”
The Utopianism of ‘Mental Health’
“Mental health” has become a catchphrase of our time. In 1976, Raymond Williams, the British literary scholar, published Keywords, in which he analyzed nearly 200 words that, in his view, … Continue reading “The Utopianism of ‘Mental Health’”