Social Theory and the Politics of Higher Education: Critical Perspectives on Institutional Research

Description

Social Theory and the Politics of Higher Education brings together an international group of scholars who shine a theoretical light on the politics of academic life and higher education. The book covers three key areas: The editors and chapter authors explore these topics through a theoretical lens, using the ideas of Michel Foucault, NiklasLuhmann, Barbara Adams, Donna Massey, Margaret Archer, Jürgen Habermas, Pierre Bourdieu, Hartmut Rosa, Norbert Elias and Donna Haraway, among others. The case studies, from Africa, Europe, Australia and South America, draw on a wide range of research approaches, and each chapter includes a set of critical reflections on how social theory and research methodology can work in tandem. Cover page Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page Contents Contributors Series Editor’s Foreword 1 Introduction: Theorising the University in an Age of Uncertainty Introduction Pedagogical features Organisation and content of the book References Part One Social Theory and University Governance 2 Governing Universities: Power, Prestige and Performance Introduction Higher education and the onward march of marketisation Governance and accountability Theorising academic governance References 3 University Management as Court Society: A Processual Analysis of the Rise of University Management Vive l’Université! Processual sociology of higher education The rise of management as a third tier Breaking the social contract Critical reflections on social theory and methodology Note References 4 Tales from the Matrix: Student Satisfaction as a Form of Governmentality Introduction Critical reflections on social theory Methodology Characterising the ‘matrix’ Professional identity construction Concluding remarks Note References 5 What Does it Mean to Assess Quality? A Socio-historical Analysis of Quality Assurance Systems in Chilean Higher Education Introduction Theoretical background State, prestige and technifi cation – the formalisation of quality assurance mechanisms in Chile Critical reflections on social theory and methodology Notes References Part Two Social Theory and the Politics of Academic Work 6 The Politics of Academic Work: Professional Identities and Intellectual Selves in Neoliberal Times Introduction The effects of neoliberal policies on the scholarly practices and identity (trans)formation of academics Academic casualisation and the changing nature of intellectual work References 7 The Experimental Rhythms of Academic Work Introduction The chronopolitics of academic work Critical reflections on social theory and methodology Temporal complexity and agency in academia Socialised rhythms: Notes towards a research programme References 8 Exploring Academic Identities in the Neoliberal University Introduction Background Methodology and methods Constructing meaning, resilience and identity in the academy Critical reflections on social theory and methodology References 9 Gender and the University: Stories So Far and Spaces Between Introduction Research contexts Doreen Massey: Social theorist Critical reflections on social theory and methodology Concluding remarks References 10 On Epistemonormativity: From Epistemic Injustices to Feminist Academic Caringzenship1,2 Introduction, or critical reflections on social theory and methodology Epistemic injustice Epistemonormativity Situated knowledge Performativity and vulnerability Academic caringzenship Concluding remarks: From academic citizenship to academic caringzenship Notes References 11 Governing the ‘Good’ Casual Academic: Institutionalised ‘Othering’ Practices Introduction Governing the subject Discourse, dividing practices and ‘othering’ in academic employment The utility of Foucauldian-inspired analysis in neoliberal institutions Critical reflections on social theory and methodology Discursive constructions of the ‘good’ academic Othering and boundary work Technologies of the self and the precarious academic Further reflection on the interplay of social theory and methodology References Part Three Social Theory and the Politics of Student Experience 12 Student Politics: Resistance, Refusal and Representation Students’ political engagement in marketised universities Power and resistance: The role of social theory References 13 Habermas and Foucault: Understanding Hostility to Higher Education and Graduate Debt1 Introduction Neoliberalism and English higher education The colonisation of the lifeworld by the system Foucault, power and higher education Habermas, Foucault and resistance in higher education Critical reflections on theory and methodology Identifying contentions towards higher education and graduate debt Humour and cultures of resistance Homogenised higher education Conclusion: Habermas and Foucault Note References 14 Neoliberal Governmentality in Higher Education in Peru: An Example of Students’ Unions’ Resistance and Confl ict Introduction Governmentality in Peru: Neoliberalism and racism Peruvian higher education in neoliberal times: Liberalisation by militarisation Critical reflections on theory and methodology Encounters between public and private higher education Discussion and conclusion Note References 15 The Space of Authoring in Constructing Student and Graduate Career Identities Introduction Figured Worlds theory – underlying principles Figured identities – on being and becoming a graduate Applying theoretical tools Critical reflection on theory and methodology Note References Index