The Fate of the Liberal Arts in the Neo-Liberal University: Adaptation, Critique, Re-Configuration
No Thumbnail Available
Authors
Pease, Donald E.
Issue Date
2014-11-15
Type
event
flash_audio
flash_audio
Language
Keywords
American Studies
Alternative Title
The Liberal Arts in an Unequal Society
Abstract
In this paper I’ll discuss changing representations of the attributes and aims of a liberal arts education from the heyday of the liberal arts model after World War II to what Bill Readings has described as its complete dismantling in the neoliberal economic order. The talk will consist of three parts: 1) an account of the causes of these changes that will turn on a discussion of the economic re-structuring of U.S. colleges and universities; 2) a survey of disparate responses ranging from the articulation of a concessionary “neo-liberal arts” disposition to a broad-gauged critique of this stance; 3) a re-description of a liberal arts education that draws upon yet re-configures these critical as well as adaptive attitudes.