Against a background of increasing inequality and a rising tide of nationalism and populism, this book raises concerns that curriculum is being shaped by powerful non-academic, non-accountable forces and that populism - and its manifestations - represent a grave challenge to learning. It explores the extent to which curriculum and learning methods in higher education should respond to this challenge. Using problem based learning as a case study it draws on crossdisciplinary studies to examine how regional, national and organizational perspectives emphasize different aspects of PBL. It questions whether PBL provides an effective response to external influences and a 'populist' higher
education agenda. In conclusion the book poses an uncomfortable question whether graduates reflect the external forces shaping curriculum and hence may be as vulnerable to populist rhetoric as non-graduates precisely because the curriculum and learning methods do not engage with the challenges. This book will appeal to scholars of problem based learning, as well as populism and the
role of higher education in society.
This book explores the extent to which populism and the populist agenda is influencing curriculum content and learning methods in higher education. Against a background of increasing inequalities and a rising tide of nationalism and populism, this book raises concerns that populism - and its various manifestations - represents a grave challenge to learning. Using problem based learning as a case study, the editors and contributors draw on a range of cross-disciplinary studies from various regions to examine how regional, national and organizational perspectives emphasise different aspects of PBL. In doing so, they question whether PBL provides an effective response to external influences, or offers a counter force to a 'populist' higher education agenda. Has the learner become the centre of the process, or are they simply a reflection of the external forces shaping curriculum? This book will appeal to scholars of problem based learning, as well as populism and the role of higher education in society. ?
Romeo V. Turcan is Professor of International Entrepreneurship and Organization Studies at the Department of Business Studies at Aalborg University, Denmark. His main research interests relate to cross-disciplinary organisation theory building, legitimation of new sectors and new ventures.
John E. Reilly is a higher education consultant with wide European and international experience. He is a member of the UK Bologna Experts team, having full understanding of the Bologna process and the European Commission modernization agenda.
