Andrew Delbanco, a Professor of American Studies at Columbia University and author of "College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be," dives into the evolving role of higher education. He discusses the original purpose of colleges in character development versus today’s job-focused approach. Delbanco argues for the importance of a liberal arts education in grappling with life's big questions and critiques the specialization trend. He also clarifies the distinctions between colleges and universities, advising prospective students on how to choose the right fit for a meaningful education.
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Unique American College Model
American colleges, with their residential campus life and focus on learning, are unique.
Most countries don't have this model where 18-22 year olds live and study together.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Origins of Residential Colleges
Early American colleges adopted the residential model from Oxford and Cambridge.
They aimed for a collegiate way of life where students learned from each other and developed character.
insights INSIGHT
Shifting Focus from Character to Career
Early colleges focused on character development based on shared Christian values.
Modern colleges struggle with this due to diverse values, leading to a focus on career preparation.
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Andrew Delbanco's *College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be* offers a historical and philosophical analysis of American higher education. Delbanco argues that the traditional college experience, focused on exploration and liberal arts, is becoming a privilege for the few. He advocates for making this type of education accessible to all, highlighting its role in fostering democratic citizenship and personal growth.
The war before the war
Fugitive Slaves and the Struggle for America's Soul from the Revolution to the Civil War
Andrew Delbanco
In 'The War Before the War,' Andrew Delbanco explores the critical role that fugitive slaves played in exposing the deep divisions within the United States from its founding to the Civil War. The book challenges traditional narratives by centering the experiences of enslaved men and women who risked their lives to escape bondage, thereby highlighting the moral and political complexities surrounding slavery and the Fugitive Slave Act. Delbanco's work is a deep meditation on the social imperatives of comity and compromise, offering a compelling historical narrative that recasts our understanding of the lead-up to the Civil War[2][4].
Modern students are apt to see going to college as the way to earn a credential that will help them get a good job. But as Andrew Delbanco, Professor of American Studies at Columbia University, argues in his book College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be, higher education was developed for a different purpose — one it should fight to maintain.
Today on the show, Andrew shares how he decided to write his book to understand more about the history, nature, and value of an institution which has come under increasing pressure in the modern age. Andrew describes how America's earliest colleges were founded as places where students could learn from both their teachers and from each other, and thereby develop the capacity to grow in character, serve others, live a good life, and even face death. Andrew explains why colleges have largely abandoned this mission, and makes the case for why a broad, not-entirely-specialized, liberal arts education remains relevant in an age in which the ability to grapple with life's big questions is as crucial as ever. We also talk about the difference between colleges and universities (no, they're not synonyms), why a prospective student might choose the former over the latter, and what other things those contemplating where to go to school should consider when making their decision.
After the show is over, check out the show notes at aom.is/college
The Art of Manliness 
