“Of the making of books there is no end,” proclaimed Ecclesiastes, and this is especially characteristic of the contemporary study of education. There is no end to the visions and plans for how to reform schools at all levels, and yet, at the same time, deep dissatisfaction with the state of learning today.
Education for What: The History of Education and the Rise of the (American) Research University will examine the history, philosophy, sociology, and politics of education, focusing especially on the origins, rise, and effects of the American research university. Like nineteenth-century religious history, the study of education is too often written today as apologia rather than as critical, especially self-critical, examination. This conference will bring together an interdisciplinary group of scholars to consider essential questions such as: What is education? What is learning? What is the point of scholarship and research? When did we institutionalize its production, and what effects has that had on learning, and on society? What other models of research and higher education exist?
Panels will be organized in a few different ways in order to be more open to debate, argument, and the exchange of views. If possible, please read the papers, prompts and short responses available under the “Pre-Circulated Papers” section of the website.
This conference is organized by Mordechai Levy-Eichel, postdoctoral associate at the Yale Center for the Study of Representative Institutions, and student coordinator Joy Wang.
Thursday, Feb 21 at the Provost’s House, 35 Hillhouse Ave
9 AM: “What is Learning? What is Education?” A panel with Sam Rocha, Stephanie Almeida Nevin, Milton Gaither, and Jeff Guhin.
10:45 AM: “The Origins of the American Research University?” A panel with Adam Nelson, Emily Levine, and Mordechai Levy-Eichel.
1:30 PM: “The History of the Graduate School, the Divisions of Knowledge, and the Spread of the Research Paradigm” A panel with Kristine Haugen, Jamila Elnashef, Emily Rutherford, and John Langbein.
KEYNOTE HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO SPEAKER’S INABILITY TO TRAVEL TO YALE.
Friday, Feb 22 at Slifka Center Chapel, 80 Wall Street
9:30 AM: “What is Research? Research before, alongside, and outside the University.” A panel with Micha Perry, Kelsey Kaufmann, and Travis Ross.
11 AM: Roundtable with Ben Schmidt, Chad Wellmon, Leonard Cassuto