Jenna Robinson on the Crisis in Higher Ed and the Prospects for Academic Renewal

'Decadence and Renewal in the Higher Learning' is Russell Kirk's critical examination of the state of American universities and colleges since 1953. Kirk laments the decline of intellectual rigor and moral purpose in higher education, attributing it to various factors, including the increasing influence of government funding and the erosion of traditional curricula. He argues that universities have become overly specialized and detached from the broader cultural and moral concerns of society. The book advocates for a return to a more classical and integrated approach to learning, emphasizing the importance of studying the great books and cultivating a sense of intellectual and moral virtue. Kirk's work offers a conservative perspective on the challenges facing higher education and proposes reforms aimed at restoring its intellectual and moral foundations. This book underscores the importance of cultural heritage and perennial wisdom.

Written in 1951, God and Man at Yale is a critical examination of Yale University's undergraduate education by William F. Buckley Jr., who had just graduated from the institution. The book argues that Yale's faculty were undermining the university's founding ethos of Christian humanism by promoting atheism, collectivism, and Keynesian economics. Buckley criticized specific courses and professors for their hostility to religion and individualism, suggesting that this was a betrayal of the values held by Yale's alumni. The book is considered a seminal work in the American conservative movement and had a significant impact on Buckley's career and public profile.

In 'The Case Against Education,' Bryan Caplan argues that a significant portion of the benefits of education are not due to the acquisition of skills or knowledge, but rather to signalling preexisting abilities. He contends that this signalling effect is prevalent across all levels of education, from elementary school to graduate programs. Caplan supports his argument with extensive data, tables, and graphs, as well as personal anecdotes and observations. He also proposes alternative educational approaches, such as technical and vocational training, which he believes are more effective in improving worker productivity. The book is known for its provocative and well-argued critique of the current education system, suggesting reforms like reduced school time and relaxed child labor laws.