The Role of the University in American Life

Offered every other year, this course has become an exciting opportunity for undergraduates to learn about the role of higher education in the United States through the experiences of leading practitioners in the field. The course also provides opportunities for plenary speakers to articulate for University archives their reflections on the role of the University across a broad range of topics and institutions.

Core lectures on higher education and UNC are the focus of the plenary sessions, with guest lectures from key participants in past and current University events. All students participate jointly in the Monday plenary sessions as well as one of the three Wednesday seminar offerings: The Role of the University and the Transformation of the NC Economy, The Engaged University, or College Admission and the Public Interest. These three distinct seminar sections are taught by distinguished leaders with expertise in these fields of focus.

American Studies 94L is an optional field lab on Fridays that focuses on specific aspects of higher education using a field-inquiry method.