College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be

College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be examines the evolution and current state of higher education in America. Professor Andrew Delbanco traces the history of American colleges from their religious roots through various transformations over centuries. The book analyzes modern challenges facing colleges, including rising costs, changing demographics, and debates over curriculum and purpose. Delbanco draws on his decades of teaching experience at Columbia University to evaluate both practical and philosophical questions about college education's role in society. Beyond critiquing current problems, the text presents potential paths forward and considerations for the future of higher education. Through historical examples and contemporary case studies, the work creates a framework for understanding what college means in American life. The central themes revolve around democracy, social mobility, and the ongoing tension between vocational training and liberal arts education. This work contributes to fundamental questions about the purpose of higher learning in an increasingly complex world.

Readers find this book offers a balanced examination of American higher education's past and present challenges. Many appreciate Delbanco's defense of liberal arts education while acknowledging modern economic pressures students face. Likes: - Clear historical context for current debates - Thoughtful analysis without taking extreme positions - Personal classroom examples that illustrate broader points - Focus on teaching and student experience rather than just policy Dislikes: - Some readers wanted more concrete solutions - Focus mainly on elite institutions - Could have addressed community colleges more thoroughly - Writing style occasionally becomes too academic Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (178 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (47 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Provides needed perspective on why college matters beyond job training" - Goodreads reviewer "Too much looking backward, not enough looking forward" - Amazon reviewer "Makes a compelling case for humanities education without ignoring practical concerns" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🎓 Author Andrew Delbanco was named "America's Best Social Critic" by Time Magazine in 2001 and received the National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama in 2012. 📚 The book draws parallels between modern higher education challenges and those faced by colleges in Colonial America, revealing that concerns about cost and access have existed since Harvard's founding in 1636. 🏛️ Delbanco teaches at Columbia University, where he serves as Alexander Hamilton Professor of American Studies, bringing over 40 years of direct experience in higher education to his analysis. 💭 The book argues that technology and career-focused education shouldn't replace the traditional liberal arts mission of developing critical thinking and moral reasoning in students. 📈 Published in 2012, the book predicted several major shifts in higher education that have since occurred, including the rise of online learning and increasing concerns about student debt.