SO/62
DRAFT
THE SEARCH FOR A NEW EDUCATIONAL IDEAL:

Interdisciplinary Programs in the Humanities, Science and Technology

The purposes of a modern university are easy to define. The univer-
sity should prepare the student for essential vocations, give him some understanding
of the universe, some understanding of man, and encourage him to continue his intel-
lectual interests. Universities are most successful in their vocational or
pre-professional training; they are largely a failure in the other respects. To
gain an understanding of the nature of the world depends upon many different
departments (such as astronomy, chemistry, geology, physics, etc.). Even a
student who took "all the courses" would still have to make a synthesis of the
materials offered, but in this he gets little or no guidance from his professors.
The situation is even worse with regard to an understanding of man. Again, many
different specialties are taught in different departments. But, in addition, the
humanities are almost totally divorced from the sciences relating to man, and
in many fields teachers do not communicate with one another. In the natural
sciences communication and agreement are developed to a degree, though not
sufficiently to counteract the effects of specialization. In the humanities and
social sciences communication is less well developed and often agreement is
difficult or impossible to achieve. Finally, intellectual stimulation shovld be
a major purpose of the university. As a result of education, people should want
to_continue some intellectual or artistic interest throughout their adult lives.

It should enrich their spirit to live in a world that is at least partially under-
stood and appreciated, even though understanding and appreciation have their
darker side as well. Buta university concentrating on pre~-vocational, specialized
training, marking students down for their performance every quarter, makes little

room for the enjoyment that can result from the life of the mind.