The Issue at a Glance

Acres of Rhinestones: Temple Betrays Its Heritage (10.1007/s12129-009-9118-6)

Stephen Zelnick, Temple University

Temple University has steadily abandoned its commitment to liberal education, and recently replaced its Great Books-centered “Intellectual Heritage Program” with “Mosaic,” which focuses on contemporary concerns and social justice. Where once gleamed acres of diamonds, Prof. Zelnick now finds piles of rhinestones.

Difficult Labor: The Perils of Birthing a New College (10.1007/s12129-009-9115-9)

Richard J. Bishirjian, Yorktown University

A funny thing happened on his way to reform high education. Dr. Bishirjian, founder of Yorktown University, an online institution whose focus is training for citizenship, describes the often circuitous path to higher education accreditation.

Wasting Away: Chicago’s Declining Core (10.1007/s12129-009-9119-5)

Adam Kissel

Mr. Kissel carefully documents the minute curricular dismantling that began during the 1990s that has greatly weakened the famous and vigorous core