210096 SE M5 a: European Union and Europeanisation (2012W)

Does Britain set an example or offer a warning for European higher education policy?

Recent reform efforts of the UK government envisage far-reaching changes concerning governance, funding and aims of universities. Europeanisation and the Bologna Process enhanced the spread of higher education policies and the UK has acted to some extent as a trend-setter. Will this also apply to the recent reform? The aim of the course is to discuss different visions of universities and their respective governance and funding regimes and to explore to what extent the UK example may shape European higher education.
Students are required to participle in all block sessions and grades will be based on active participation in class discussions, an oral presentation and a seminar paper.
The main topics for students’ work will be:
1. What is HE for? The mission of HE.
2. Public or private good/responsibility discourse in England, Austria, EU and beyond.
3. Differentiation, Diversity, Stratification and Hierarchisation of HE.
4. Role of Government in HE from Government to Governance.
5. University governance: monastery - state agency - company.
6. Effects change in mission and governance on funding and funding models.
7. Can/do countries learn from each other? Policy learning and transfer.
8. Students: novice, apprentice in bureaucracy, customer?
9. Access to HE.
Literature will be distributed at the first session.