The History of American Higher Education

Chapter 3. Republican Universities.

“The History of American Higher Education,” Chapter 3, presents the account of how colleges were founded in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, their struggles, and their development. During this crucial time, institutions began to spring up in states like North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina, each of them dealing with challenges and using different strategies. This chapter’s essential elements include the shift away from Enlightenment principles, institutional improvements, societal influences, and leadership dynamics. The chapter emphasizes several essential points, one of which is the critical role that leadership played in determining the course of early American colleges. The leadership of Reverend Joseph Caldwell at North Carolina University best demonstrates this. Through difficult circumstances, Caldwell’s reforms and strong leadership guided the university (Geiger, 2015). Textual evidence suggests that Caldwell, despite his young age, gained the respect of students and implemented changes that brought back enrolment.

Another critical component discussed is the diverse challenges faced by early universities, as evidenced by the case of Georgia University. Georgia University was a remote institution beset by internal strife and the forced departure of its president, Josiah Meigs (Geiger, 2015). Meigs worked hard to create a functional college, but regional dynamics and internal resistance made it difficult to move forward. The book highlights Georgia University’s difficulties while illuminating the difficulties of early institutional development. South Carolina College, on the other hand, was notable for its separate strategy, which emphasized public backing, academic quality, and the unification of state leadership. In contrast to its competitors, South Carolina College benefited from strong governmental support and tactical leadership, which helped it establish itself as a leader in innovative education in the area (Geiger, 2015). The article presents evidence of South Carolina College’s uniqueness, emphasizing the importance of its financial backing, governance system, and strategic location in fostering its success.

The critique of American universities by Reverend Samuel Miller provides insightful information on the institutional and societal issues that higher education was dealing with at the time. Miller’s research highlights the social pressures, wide curricula, and inadequate finance that limited American institutions’ efficacy. His criticism serves as a sobering reminder of the structural problems that afflicted early Republican higher education (Geiger, 2015). The chapter also considers how American higher education has moved from Enlightenment principles to a renewed emphasis on religious faith (Geiger, 2015). This ideological change denoted a break from the Enlightenment era’s optimism and a reassessment of the influence of religion on educational priorities. According to the text, societal changes and evolving perspectives on intellectual inquiry had an impact on this shift (Geiger, 2015).

Chapter 3 concludes with a thorough examination of the early years of American higher education, stressing the changes in ideology, institutional difficulties, societal influences, and leadership styles that influenced the development of these institutions. The chapter offers insightful perspectives on the development of higher education in the United States during an important period in its history through a comprehensive review of historical facts and intellectual insights.

Chapter 4. The Low State of The Colleges, 1800–1820

In “The History of American Higher Education,” Geiger (2015), chapter 4, “The Low State of the Colleges, 1800–1820,” offers a thorough examination of the difficulties and changes American schools encountered in the early 19th century. During this time, emotional religion gained popularity, Enlightenment ideas declined, and the higher education system saw substantial changes. Six essential elements that are backed up by textual evidence are revealed in this chapter. First, using the Dartmouth College Case of 1819 as an example, the chapter discusses the political and legal struggles that universities must deal with. The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Dartmouth College’s status as a private company in the case highlighted the conflicts that exist between institutional autonomy and state involvement (Rabban, 2019). The security of private institutions from government interference was profoundly affected by this historic ruling.

Second, the chapter emphasizes how state assistance and colleges have changed throughout time. States supported colleges financially through appropriations and land grants, among other methods, yet these forms of support sometimes needed to be more consistent and sufficient (Geiger, 2015). As states became more involved in higher education, colleges struggled to remain independent and turned to them for financial aid. Thirdly, the chapter examines the founding and challenges faced by the first Western state colleges. These institutions’ capacity to organize and continue operations was hampered by financial hardships and rivalry from other denominations (Geiger, 2015). Many early state universities had a significant Christian influence, which had conflicting effects on prosperity and government.

Fourthly, the chapter explores the more general changes that shaped higher education in this time frame. Colleges were profoundly impacted by the fall of Enlightenment values and the rise of emotional religion, as demonstrated by changes in educational priorities and institutional arrangements. The growth of professional education, which included theological seminaries and medical institutions, further reflected the shifting values and requirements of society. The chapter’s fifth section addresses the Dartmouth ruling’s effects on American higher education going forward. Colleges continued to serve the public interest and faced obstacles from state intrusion even as the ruling preserved the autonomy of private institutions (Altbach et al., 2011). Public interest and institutional autonomy would continue to conflict in higher education’s later evolution.

Lastly, the chapter concludes by highlighting how crucial the early 19th century was in determining the course of American higher education. Colleges saw times of expansion and change despite enormous barriers, setting the transformation for further advancements in the field (Hofstadter & Smith, 1996). During this time, new educational models came into being, and institutional identities solidified in the face of shifting socioeconomic circumstances.

To sum up, the chapter “The Low State of The Colleges, 1800–1820” offers insightful information about the difficulties and changes that American higher education encountered at an important period in its history. The chapter provides a thorough grasp of the complexity influencing the early 19th-century higher education scene through an analysis of court cases, financial hardships, and larger cultural changes.

References

Altbach, P. G., Gumport, P. J., & Berdahl, R. O. (Eds.). (2011). American higher education in the twenty-first century: Social, political, and economic challenges. Jhu Press.

Geiger, R. L. (2015). The History of American Higher Education: Learning and Culture from the Founding to World War II. Harvard University Press.

Rabban, D. M. (2019). From Impairment of Contracts to Institutional Academic Freedom: The Enduring Significance of the Dartmouth College Case. UNHL Rev., 18, 9.