American Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century: Social, Political, and Economic Challenges

First published in 1998, American Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century offers a comprehensive entree to the central issues facing American colleges and universities today. This thoroughly revised edition brings the volume up to date on key topics of enduring interest.

Placing higher education within its social and political contexts, leading scholars discuss finance, federal and state governance, faculty, students, curriculum, and academic leadership. Contributors also address major changes in higher education, especially the influence and incorporation of the latest technologies and growing concern about the future of the academy in a post-Iraq War setting.

No other book covers such wide-ranging issues under the broader theme of higher education's relationship to society. Highly acclaimed and incorporating cutting-edge research, American Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century remains the standard reference in the field.

Contributors: Philip G. Altbach, Benjamin Baez, Michael N. Bastedo, Robert O. Berdahl, Marjorie A. E. Cook, Melanie E. Corrigan, Judith S. Eaton, Peter D. Eckel, Gustavo Fischman, Roger L. Geiger, Lawrence E. Gladieux, Sara Goldrick-Rab, Patricia J. Gumport, Fred F. Harcleroad, D. Bruce Johnstone, Adrianna Kezar, Jacqueline E. King, Aims C. McGuinness Jr., Amy Scott Metcalfe, Michael Mumper, Michael A. Olivas, Robert M. O'Neil, Gary Rhoades, Frank A. Schmidtlein, Sheila Slaughter, Daryl G. Smith, John Willinsky

Altbach et al. compile 17 essays on the main issues facing American colleges and universities in areas like finance, federal and state governance, faculty, students, curriculum, and academic leadership. A group of higher education and educational policy scholars from the US begin with comparisons to other countries and the history of American higher education, then address autonomy and accountability and academic freedom; the roles of the courts and governmental and nongovernmental elements; the academic community; and key issues such as technology, graduate education, race, and commercialization. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)