In my University, the University of Hull
in the East Riding of Yorkshire, an academic restructuring took
place just about one year ago. One of the consequences of this restructuring
was that what had previously been separate Schools of study became
one single Faculty of Social Sciences.
In this Faculty, we now have what were formerly the separate Schools
of Economics, Law, Sociology, Social Policy, Management and Accounting.
To a degree, these areas still retain autonomy within the Faculty
structure, and the integrity of these programmes of study available
within the Faculty has not been affected. Students still study Law,
Economics, Business Studies and such subjects as independent single
honours courses. But we are also trying to ensure that modular structures
allow us to exploit cognate areas within the overall framework of
the social sciences.
The social sciences more generally are at the heart of the most
vibrant part of the British University system. British academics
in areas such as Economics, Law, and Political Science have had
a very significant influence in shaping public policy, including
the policies of the present and last governments. Students coming
to British universities to study these subjects will often have
an opportunity to experience at first hand the principles and thought
processors which are informing these areas. In these programmes,
students will be able to benefit both from a coherent intellectual
framework and from a direct vocational application. As a result,
employment for graduates is very high.
With the growth of modularisation within the British University
system, we can probably expect to see greater levels of integration
within related subject to see greater levels of integration within
the subject areas such as the social sciences. That is very much
to be welcomed, while at the same time we should ensure that the
specific expertise available in the subject areas themselves continues
to be developed and protected.
I am certain that in my institution, as in many other British universities,
students coming to Britain to study subjects such as Law, Economics,
Business Studies, Management, Accounting, and Political Science
still get some of the best teaching and learning available in the
world. Taken together with the particular practice of British universities
in giving close attention and care to students in their individual
needs, this means that we can continue to be confident excellence
in higher education is available in our disciplines.
Author: Ferdinand von Prondzynski, Professor of Law and
Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Hull
This article first appeared in Educational Courses in Britain
& America
