Page 9 - journal19-3

One of my favorite television programs was a series produced unchanged in its mode of delivery, for the frst time, had some
by the BBC entitled “Connections”. Its subject matter and utilitarian purpose. Tis adaptation in purpose, however, would
theme explored the linkages and lineage among various kinds help set the stage for more profound changes later.
of scientifc and technological breakthroughs over the course But this trend was very slow to evolve. Early colonial universities
of history and how our present-day lives are afected by their in America (Harvard, Te University of Pennsylvania, and
intertwined impacts. I tend to view the tumultuous landscape William and Mary) were much more spiritual and intellectual
of current change in higher education through the same type institutions. Teir primary purposes embraced the more
of lens. Te seeds of the creative disruption we are witnessing traditional European models.
in higher education today were sown more than 150 years ago
upon an educational terrain that, until recently, has evolved ever
so slowly from the frst century and has adhered to its original
design through adaptation. We have entered an era, however,
wherein the strategy of adaptation is no longer viable.
To best understand these points of infection, one needs to
fundamentally appreciate the original trajectory of organized
and formalized high education. Tis direction, some would
argue, was placed into motion with the establishment of the
University of Constantinople in the year 425 A.D. Te frst
monastic schools founded by the Catholic Church followed
approximately 100 years later. It is in these schools that the
model of the master teacher lecturing to students in a classroom
setting initially takes shape.
Tus it remained, relatively unchanged through the founding
of the early European universities between the 11 and 13
th
th
centuries, including the University of Bologna, the University of
Paris, as well as Oxford and Cambridge. At such institutions the Source: L’università e le sue crisi: una rifessione storica. Maria Chiara Pievatolo
arts, sciences, and religious instruction fourished for the elite. Te frst major infection point in the evolution of the American
Te frst infection point afecting higher education in Europe university resulted from a combination of three events occurring
coincided with the rise of exploration and the establishment of within a short period of time. Te frst of these was the passage
empires during the 15 to the 18 centuries. Tis subtle change of the Morrill Act of 1862 establishing Land Grant universities.
th
th
was probably most profound within the British Empire, which Tese institutions were created to focus on the teaching of
realized that its system of public education could be put to agriculture, military science, and engineering. Te second
good use in tracking and managing its wealth and infuence. was the founding of the National Academy of Sciences in
Accountancy, administration, and communication became 1863, which was specifcally intended to harness technological
as important as military skill to preserving the role of the innovation for the purpose of winning the Civil War. Finally,
Empire as the preeminent force upon the world stage. Tus, and seemingly unrelated, was the invention of the telegraph. Its
higher education, although still reserved for the privileged and newfound capabilities enabled the frst real time global scientifc

LEADERSHIP Vol. 19.3 Winter 2014 7

Client: The Chair Academy Job: CHAIRAcademy_Journal_19.3
Final size: 8.5” x 11” Colors: CMYK Bleeds: Yes
Created by: Goldfsh Creative • 602.349.2220 • laura@goldfshcreative.net