A History of the University in Europe

Book excerpt: A History of the University in Europe covers the development of the university in Europe (East and West) from its origins to the present day. No other up-to-date, comprehensive history of this type exists: its originality lies in focusing on a number of major themes viewed from a European perspective, and in its interdisciplinary, collaborative and transnational character. Volume 1, covering the Middle Ages, places the medieval European universities in their social and political context. After explaining the number and types of universities from their origins in the twelfth century to around 1500, it examines the inner workings as an institution and paints a general picture of medieval student life. Volume 2 attempts to situate the universities in their social and political context throughout the three centuries spanning the period 1500 to 1800. Volume 3 shows that by focusing on the freedom of scientific research, teaching and study, the medieval university structure was modernized and enabled discoveries to become a professional, bureaucratically-regulated activity of the university. This opened the way for the victorious march of the natural sciences, and led to student movements--resulting in the university being ultimately cast in the role of a citadel of political struggle in a world-wide fight for freedom. - Publisher.