미국 대학의 기업화 현상에 대한 비판적 고찰

초록

Purpose: This study aims to critically analyze a prevalent phenomenon called ‘corporatization’ in American universities. Moreover, this study provides a critical review of the corporatization of American universities in order for Korean universities to ponder upon how they may avoid similar problems caused by corporatization. Method and design: The study is conducted on the basis of literature survey. It encompasses and analyzes a wide range of books and papers on corporatization of American universities authored both by academicians and non-academicians. The paper is organized in the following order. First, a brief review of the history of American universities’ transformation is provided. Second, the paper examines the background and hidden agenda of the corporatization of American universities, and investigate its realities and practices. Third, there is an analysis of the trend of corporatization which scrutinizes its negative effects on education. Finally, alternatives to corporatization are proposed, with particular attention given to how American universities maintain their heritage of autonomy and diversity. Findings: This paper concludes that corporatization, despite its limited contribution in terms of securing financial stability for universities, basically violates the ideals and values of higher education and distorts the autonomy and diversity of American universities. Furthermore, it hampers and obstructs educational missions of universities by de-emphasizing broad liberal education and by discouraging intrinsic pursuit of knowledge for the sake of narrow pragmatism and vulgar commercialism. It also suggests that a critical lens and new orientation other than that of corporatization be needed for the future of both American and Korean universities.

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