Year of Graduation

2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MALS: Humanities

Directing Professor

Harry B Stevens

Abstract

The American undergraduate higher educational institution was organized and developed well over 100 years ago, and for the most part, it was designed around Eurocentric ideals, experiences, and values—ones that hardly reflect the population and principles of a 21st century America. The higher education system is undoubtedly a product of modernism; however, as postmodernism has become more widespread through mainstream society, universities must reevaluate their means and their ends in order to meet transitioning standards and expectations especially if academe hopes to remain a pillar of our ever-progressing society.

The three majorly impacted areas of higher education include enrollment trends, the desired outcomes and objectives of obtaining a degree, and classroom academics and pedagogy. These areas that are all equally vital in the success of the institution are needing to be contextualized in a wider socio-cultural frame that includes the viewpoints and charges of a postmodernist society. Postmodernism is marking the end of traditional structures and institutions, academe included. The one-size-fits-all approach that links together modern thought is no longer sufficient nor acceptable to the masses, especially those of the younger generations who compose most of the recruitment pool for universities.

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