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12%OFFJoseph A. Soares - The Decline of Privilege: The Modernization of Oxford University - 9780804748193 - V9780804748193
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The Decline of Privilege: The Modernization of Oxford University

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Description for The Decline of Privilege: The Modernization of Oxford University Paperback. This work studies Oxford University's transformation - and the political hazards for academics that ensued - when, after World War II, it changed from a private liberal-arts club with aristocratic pretensions into a state university committed to the natural sciences. Num Pages: 352 pages, illustrations. BIC Classification: 1DBKESF; JNMN; JP. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational; (UP) Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly; (UU) Undergraduate. Dimension: 5817 x 3887 x 23. Weight in Grams: 463.

This book studies Oxford University's transformation—and the political hazards for academics that ensued—when, after World War II, it changed from a private liberal-arts club with aristocratic pretensions into a state university heavily committed to the natural sciences, and with a middle-class constituency and a meritocratic ethos.

Despite these changes, the author shows that Oxford has not been able to elude its long-standing Brideshead Revisited reputation. This antiquated image became a source of difficulties when the Labour Party in the 1960's sought to expand educational opportunities to promote the cause of social justice. In the 1980's the University again came under ... Read more

The largely unrecognized process of internal change at Oxford is shown to have been driven by two distinct dynamics: its scientists took advantage of huge increases in government funding to build departmental empires, while an informal alliance of reform-minded arts dons strove to renew Oxford's collegiate traditions of scholarly excellence and self-governance.

When the scientists and reformist dons revitalized the University in the light of changed social and economic conditions, they inadvertently eroded the foundations of its autonomy. During its transformation, Oxford lost its upper-class ties, its financial self-sufficiency, and its deferential friends in government. As a result, it was at its weakest when the Thatcher government sought to harness universities to the goals of economic competition. Consequently, Thatcherites successfully rewrote the compact between the state and universities, including the abolition of tenure for new faculty and the elimination of block grant funding. Thus, paradoxically, Oxford's internal renewal coincided with a surrender of its institutional independence.

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Product Details

Format
Paperback
Publication date
2002
Publisher
Stanford University Press United States
Number of pages
352
Condition
New
Number of Pages
352
Place of Publication
Palo Alto, United States
ISBN
9780804748193
SKU
V9780804748193
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 7 to 11 working days
Ref
99-50

About Joseph A. Soares
Joseph A. Soares is Associate Professor of Sociology at Yale University.

Reviews for The Decline of Privilege: The Modernization of Oxford University
"Soares writes a lively narrative full of interesting sketches of individuals and events. He navigates the arcane relationships between the Oxford colleges and the University with great clarity. And he deftly handles the ironies of the "Oxford Myth" and its obfuscation of the realities of modern Oxford."—History of Education Quarterly "Once there was an ancient foundation, a seat of privilege ... Read more

Goodreads reviews for The Decline of Privilege: The Modernization of Oxford University


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