EDFN 675: Higher Education in America

EDFN 675

Dr. Jerry R. Wilder

Department of Counseling and Student Affairs

417-E TPH

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY 42101

Voice: ((270) 754-4224

FAX: (270) 745-5445

E-mail: jerry.wilder@wku.edu

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Course Description:

This course will address a number of salient topics considered important to an understanding of the field of higher education in contemporary America. Among those topics to be covered are: historical perspective, role and mission, organizational structures, leadership, institutional governance, budgeting, technology, legal implications, accreditation process, and problems and issues. As a means of creating an environment well suited to open and candid discussion, the class will be treated as a seminar. The goal of the facilitator will be to orchestrate a hands-on, practical, relevant and positive experience for the seminar participants. All participants will be expected to contribute actively to the seminar. Seminar participants will be afforded ample assignments designed to help improve their understanding of a modern college or university. The seminar will feature a number of experts and professional practitioners representing the whole of higher education.

Course Objectives:

Students who complete the seminar will:

1. Be exposed to the historical significance and a number of critical incidents that have shaped higher education.
2. Learn about the primary purpose, mission and role of higher education in contemporary America.
3. Gain an understanding of selected demographic data that portrays a realistic view of higher education, i.e. enrollment, cost, ethnicity, salaries, job trends, etc.
4. Discuss the personal characteristics of today’s college student.
5. Be informed about the higher education enterprise, i.e. institutional types, levels, and numbers of American colleges and universities.
6. Acquire an appreciation of the various trends, problems and issues confronting the leadership of American higher education.
7. Be introduced to the various institutional organizational structures and leaderships traits commonly employed by senior level administrators in American higher education.
8. Gain an appreciation of the governance process and the political climate that manifests itself in the modern college or university.
9. Learn the basic components that comprise an institutions annual operating budget.
10. Develop an appreciation of the emerging role of technology and how it impacts (both positive and negative) higher education.
11. Be informed as to the various legalistic forces that abounds and have altered the playing field in the higher education profession.
12. Be exposed to the lengthy and arduous accreditation process that continues to play a major role in the reaffirmation process among American colleges and universities.

1. Attendance/Participation: Each seminar participant is expected to attend all class meetings and be prepared to contribute meaningfully to class discussions.
2. Interview
a professional practitioner in the field of education representing an area of serious career pursuit. Prepare a 2-3 page narrative.
3. Prepare
200-300 word abstracts of selected reading articles and make oral presentations.
4. Class Project:
Each seminar participant will compile a consultative report for a hypothetical major comprehensive-research university in the south.
5. Examination:
There will be administered a final examination. The exam will be comprised of objective and subjective questions. The exam will cover the full content of the course.

Grading:

Textbook: Relevant materials will be distributed to the seminar participants throughout the semester.