PHIL 290(S) The Philosophy and Economics of Higher Education (Same as INTR 290) (W)
Students compete ferociously for the opportunity to pay large sums of money for the privilege of attending Williams College. The value of the educational experience they receive is usually taken to be self-evident. Less obvious, however, are the nature of education, and the factors that determine how much it costs, who has access to it, and how successful it is.
This interdisciplinary seminar will explore both the philosophy and the economics of higher education. Which purposes can and should college serve? Which curricular and extra-curricular programs best accomplish those purposes? How can we measure and evaluate the effects of policies concerning college admission, pricing, and financial aid? How can we assess and enhance educational productivity?
Students will read and discuss texts in the philosophy of education, while also learning to apply economic theory and econometric techniques to the analysis of educational issues.
Format: lecture/discussion. Requirements: Evaluation will be based upon the writing and revision of three 8-page papers, as well as the quality of contributions to class discussion.
Prerequisites: Economics 110 and at least one philosophy course. Enrollment limit: 19 (expected: 19). Preference given to sophomores intending to or juniors majoring in either philosophy or economics.
Students will get credit for one philosophy course, which fulfills one-semester of the Division II requirement.
Hour: SCHAPIRO and DUDLEY