Politics & History of U.S. Higher Education

3 credits · Graduate

This course examines the development of the U.S. system of higher education, including its origins, major trends, and distinctive features, in order to understand the purpose of higher education in the United States. Using a critical race lens, it surveys the social, historical, and political forces that have shaped colleges and universities from the colonial period through the 20th century, highlighting how these forces have stratified the system while creating inequities for racialized and other minoritized communities. The course is for students interested in careers as practitioners in postsecondary institutions and for those who want to conduct research on issues within higher education.