The Idea of the University - Update.

Hi

So what has happened since my blog of 25 November 2011?

The Occupy Movement sang, talked, tidied up, cleaned the windows and left the lecture hall in good time for the Christmas Vacation.

My biscuit bag challenge was delivered to and accepted by CRASSH (Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Cambridge) with enthusiasm, but subject to .........................

In the sixth lecture in The Idea of the University programme, a scholarly historical and international overview trumped (just) the interwoven political anger. 

In a final question, David Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity, asked:

What should be the essence or objective of a university’s teaching and activity?

Time was up.  He got no answer.

The Cambridge University Court of Discipline has rusticated the leader of the chorus which disrupted the lecture to be given by David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science.

So, as Michaelmas has given way to Lent and now to Easter, to summer, to May Balls, to the Long Vacation and then to another year, what will happen?

Will CRASSH be able to extend discussion of The Idea of the University to cover the issues and events arising from the lecture series itself? 

Will the University and members, young and old, be willing to subject themselves to the multi-disciplinary knowledge, research and forensic analysis for which it and they are so rightly respected in the world outside?

In a centre renowned for knowledge of behavioural science, politics, philosophy, management systems, bio-chemistry ............. how can so many make such a pig’s ear out of so little?

A sincere attempt to examine these questions might provide an answer to Professor David Ford’s question:

What should be the essence or objective of a university’s teaching and activity?

Paws4Now

Jock