Teaching and Research in the Contemporary University

Abstract

The first and most fundamental role of the university is and has always been that of teaching, for the various purposes of transmission of knowledge and values, person formation and occupational preparation and certification. At times the teaching mission has been joined to that of worship and religious ritual, at times to that of scientific inquiry and at times to serving the state and its institutions, but the production of persons through instruction and learning has always central to higher education. Whether done well or not so well, teaching has been the core social mission throughout the 1,000 year history of European universities and the 3,000 year history of university-like institut..