Dynamics of the Contemporary University. Neil J. Smelser
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THE ATKINSON FAMILY
IMPRINT IN HIGHER EDUCATION
The Atkinson Family Foundation has endowed this imprint to
illuminate the role of higher education in contemporary society.
The publisher gratefully acknowledges the generous
support of the Higher Education Endowment Fund of
the University of California Press Foundation, which
was established by a major gift from the Atkinson
Family Foundation.
Dynamics of the
Contemporary University
THE CLARK KERR LECTURES ON THE ROLE OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN SOCIETY
A Larger Sense of Purpose: Higher Education and Society, by Harold T. Shapiro (Princeton University Press)
The American Research University from World War II to World Wide Web: Governments, the Private Sector, and the Emerging Meta-University, by Charles M. Vest
Searching for Utopia: Universities and Their Histories, by Hanna Holborn Gray
Dynamics of the Contemporary University: Growth, Accretion, and Conflict, by Neil J. Smelser
Dynamics of the
Contemporary
University
GROWTH, ACCRETION,
AND CONFLICT
NEIL J. SMELSER
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS
BerkeleyLos AngelesLondon
CENTER FOR STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Berkeley
The Center for Studies in Higher Education at the University of California, Berkeley, is a multidisciplinary research and policy center on higher education oriented to California, the nation, and comparative international issues. CSHE promotes discussion among university leaders, government officials, and academics; assists policy making by providing a neutral forum for airing contentious issues; and keeps the higher education world informed of new initiatives and proposals. The Center’s research aims to inform current debate about higher education policy and practice.
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University of California Press
Berkeley and Los Angeles, California
University of California Press, Ltd.
London, England
© 2013 by The Regents of the University of California
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Smelser, Neil J.
Dynamics of the contemporary university : growth, accretion, and conflict / Neil J. Smelser.
pages cm
ISBN 978-0-520-27581-2 (hardback)
eISBN: 9780520955257
1. Universities and colleges—United States. 2. Universities and colleges—Administration—United States. 3. Educational change—United States. I. Title.
LA227.4.S581 2013
378.73—dc232012039812
Manufactured in the United States of America
22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
In keeping with a commitment to support environmentally responsible and sustainable printing practices, UC Press has printed this book on Rolland Enviro 100, a 100% post-consumer fiber paper that is FSC certified, deinked, processed chlorine-free, and manufactured with renewable biogas energy. It is acid-free and EcoLogo certified.
Contents
Acknowledgments
1.Dynamics of American Universities
What Kind of Creature is Higher Education?
The Problematic Status of “Functions”
Structural Changes Accompanying Growth
A Peculiar Case in Higher Education: Structural Accretion
A Historical Sketch of the Process
The Discipline-Based Academic Department: So Strong and Yet So Frail
The Organized Research Unit as Distraction from Departments
Reactions and Conflicts Endemic in the Process of Accretion
Conditions Producing the Endemic Pattern
Two Long-term Consequences of Accretion
The Structuring of Faculty Activities
Implications for Academic Community
2.The Dynamics Ramify: Academic Politics, Conflict, and Inequality
Instabilities Imposed on Inertial Stability
Of Pythons and Goats
Economic Fluctuations
Competitors for Resources
Relevance to Accretion
Accretion and the Growth of Political Constituencies
Internal Constituencies
External Constituencies