Stylus/Stylus Publishing - The Challenge of Bologna: What United States Higher Education Has to Learn from Europe, and Why It Matters That We Learn It

The Challenge of Bologna

What United States Higher Education Has to Learn from Europe, and Why It Matters That We Learn It

Paul L. Gaston

Foreword by Carol Geary Schneider

Hardback: 978 1 57922 366 3
Price: $35.00

Publisher: Stylus Publishing
January 2010 , 256 pp., 6" x 9"

In 1999, a declaration formalizing “the European process” was signed at and informally named for Europe’s oldest university: Bologna. “The Bologna Process” has transformed higher education in Europe.

This book is essential reading for anyone concerned about the ability of America’s higher education system to position the country for competitiveness in a global economy, about its failure to broaden access and participation, or to respond to calls for accountability, and specifically about whether it is ready to address the redoubtable challenge that Bologna Process represents on all these issues.

In this book Paul Gaston assesses the Process’ accomplishments, weighing its strengths and weaknesses, and evaluates which features pose a threat, which we can learn from, and which may be inappropriate for our system of higher education.

Bologna’s achievements in making higher education more accessible, in rationalizing and making consistent the evaluation of credits, and the definition and measurement of learning outcomes for all disciplines, all constitute a major “wake-up call” for American higher education.

If we consider Europeans’ increased participation in higher education, their increased graduation rates, and the fact that Europe is retaining more of its students and attracting more international students, American higher education may be losing its competitive advantage.

For all these reasons, it is vital that educators and policy makers understand Bologna and its implications for American higher education. It represents a formidable challenge on a matter of national priority. This book provides that understanding by offering a realistic and balanced account of Bologna’s achievements, and suggesting how US higher education can constructively and effectively respond.

Table of Contents:

Acknowledgments
Foreword—Carol Geary Schneider
Preface
An Expeditious Overview
1) Why Pay Attention to Bologna?
2) The Road to Bologna
3) A Point of Departure
4) Words to Actions: Bologna, Prague, Berlin
5) Urgency and Understanding: Bergen and London
6) Beginning a New Decade: Leuven/Louvain-la-Neuve
7) The Challenge For Bologna: Potholes—and Possibilities
8) The Challenge Of Bologna: Access and Mobility
9) The Challenge Of Bologna: Structure and Sequence
10) The Challenge Of Bologna: Effectiveness and Accountability
11) Meeting the Challenge: Improving on Europe’s Example
Appendix: A Guide to Acronyms
References
Index

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Foreword by Carol Schneider

Author Interview

The official Bologna website 2007-2009

Reviews & Endorsements:

"In a nutshell, the goal of the Bologna Process is to revitalize higher education throughout Europe by standardizing it, creating one European system, easily accessible across borders, operating under a shared protocol, promoting cooperation between institutions, with one intention: to facilitate high quality education for students in Europe, preparing them to be a driving force in a global economy.

Paul Gaston’s new book The Challenge of Bologna, details the process, from its inception through where it is today. The story, as Dr. Gaston tells it, is impressively broad and deep. But I think the accomplishment of this book is its description of the convening of the process, the collisions among participants, describing the nuances of their positions in ways that make sense. And, finally, it’s rather thrilling to realize the participants in the process have united behind a shared mission, making progress despite differences on something they believe in the importance of. Their differences are worth resolving.

In the U.S., we have significant problems in our own system, and they’re affecting our ability to compete globally. Dr. Gaston argues that the U.S. ignores the lessons of Bologna at its peril."
- Susan de la Vergne, Liberal Arts Advantage—for Business newsletter

"The Challenge of Bologna is an informed, comprehensive and rich analysis of the efforts of Europe to lead a major transformation of higher education during the last decade. Even more important, Dr. Gaston offers a robust, intriguing, and insightful comparison of Bologna and U.S. efforts in higher education during the same time period. He is astute in his grasp of both the similarities of higher education tradition that bind the United States and Europe and the differences in government and culture that result in our approaching major challenges in quite different ways.”
- Judith S. Eaton, President , Council for Higher Education Accreditation

“American higher education is one of the great successes of the twentieth century. But like many others, I am concerned about losing our position of leadership. Paul Gaston is eminently qualified to respond to such concerns. He skillfully relates the Bologna priorities established in Europe a decade ago to current issues in American higher education – critically examining entrenched practices and calling for renewed emphasis on what is learned, rather than what is taught.

Dr. Gaston notes that higher education is virtually the only profession that does not routinely define what it seeks to accomplish. To begin educational reform, he proposes an inclusive Higher Education Congress with clearly defined objectives for addressing access and mobility, structure and effectiveness.

Paul Gaston’s analysis and proposal for a process of reform are clearly and compellingly presented. His work is worthwhile reading for anyone engaged in higher education.”
- James E. Bundschuh, President , Marymount University, Arlington, Virginia

“Whatever their initial reaction to the Bologna developments, all U.S. educators will certainly need a fuller understanding of what is happening on other shores and of the motives that are propelling this high profile international effort. Paul Gaston’s fine study meets that need."
- Carol Schneider, President , Association of American Colleges and Universities

"Experienced as well as aspiring leaders in higher education will benefit greatly from Paul Gaston's thoughtful analysis of Bologna. His well-crafted historical perspective should promote lively discussion of the value of a compelling vision for reform and the practical challenges of implementation. Professor Gaston is especially successful in presenting his own vision for ways in which the Bologna Process should--and should not--guide our higher education reform agenda on this side of the Atlantic."
- Carol A. Cartwright, President , Bowling Green University

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