Includes a course introduction (first hour)
When
Fri 25-Jul 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Location
Contact
Panel
Knowing
Critical Thinking
This class will follow a loose agenda of:
- 10:00-10:45: class information/induction session
- 10:45-11:30: what are universities for? workshop session to prepare questions for panel
- 11:30-12:30: what are universities for? panel
About this KNoT
This inquiry challenges us to consider what universities uniquely offer to the broader community: not just knowledge transfer, but the development of critical thinking, intellectual citizenship, and the capacity to engage with difficult questions that matter. It's an invitation to reflect on our own role as learners and contributors to society.
Preparation
Please take approximately 10 sections from the Boulton and Lucas' reading. Explore some of the headings you might be curious about.
What You’ll Learn
This will be an exploration of the idea of a university.
Learning Resources
- Boulton and Lucas, 2008, "What are Universities For?" https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225511003_What_Are_Universities_For
- A Big Ideas podcast moderated by Prof Des Manderson: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/bigideas/the-purpose-and-the-future-of-the-university/12095864
- Universities Accord: https://www.education.gov.au/australian-universities-accord/resources/final-report
How to Complete This KNoT
Consider the pre-panel activity (what did you think Universities are for?), the reading, and the panel discussion. What has shaped your view of a university? Has this view changed over time? What elements of universities do you think will persist into the future? Reflect (150-200 words) on a question that you asked, or would have asked if you had time.