#577 | A Short History Of Universities

In part one of a three-part mini-series on the theme of "university", we go on a whirlwind tour of the history of universities, from medieval student guilds in Bologna to the modern day. The University of Bologna nears its thousand-year anniversary. Why universities emerged: stability, trade, rediscovered texts, Church needs. Student guilds hired teachers; papal charters granted privileges, recognition. Medieval curriculum and university specialisations in law, theology, medicine. Renaissance humanism broadened studies beyond law and theology. Scientific Revolution made universities producers of new knowledge. Humboldt model united teaching and research in modern universities. Post-war ex...