| Universities 21 is a publication of the University Professionals of Illinois. Its purpose is to encourage a dialogue among colleagues about the visions we have for our universities in the 21st century. We invite faculty and staff, both union and nonunion, to share their views on academic issues and the challenges facing higher education. |
Universities 21 is pleased to bring you two thoughtful pieces on the process of teaching motivated by the book The Courage to Teach: Exploring the Inner Landscape of a Teacher's Life Parker J. Palmer, Jossey-Bass, Inc., 1998.
The first article is a review of this book by Professor Hamid Akbari, Associate Professor of Management, Northeastern Illinois University. At the end of his review, Dr. Akbari raises some questions for us, as teachers, to contemplate. The second article in this issue, "The Courage to Change" by Professor Bonnie Irwin, Associate Professor of English, Eastern Illinois University, offers suggestions on how we and our academic unions, The University Professionals of Illinois and its affiliate, The American Federation of Teachers, can facillitate positive change in the teaching profession and in ourselves as teachers.
We invite you, our readers, to respond to the ideas presented in these two articles and to raise with us and our readers your own questions about what it means "to teach". How would you answer Professor Akbari's question "Should the classroom, as a gathering place relying on solo teaching, continue to remain the dominant form and mode of teaching and learning in an ever-changing post-modern world?" And, importantly, as Professor Irwin asks, "Are we willing to be risk-takers and have `The Courage to Change?'"
Let us hear your answers to these and other questions.
Universities21 is published three times each academic year. It is distributed to all faculty, staff, and governing boards at the following universities: Chicago State, Eastern, Western, Governors State, Northeastern, Northern, Illinois State Universities and the University of Illinois/Springfield; as well as higher education locals across the country, the office of the Governor, and members of the Illinois General Assembly. The views expressed by the authors are not necessarily those of Universities21 or of UPI. New subscribers and contributions are welcome. Contributions of publishable materials may be in the form of letters to the editor, articles, book reviews, essays and commentaries. Deadlines are: June 1 for the summer issue, October 1 for the fall issue, and February 1 for the spring issue. Discs containing manuscripts should be sent to:
Mary Ann Schwartz
11 E Adams, Suite 1106
Chicago, IL 60603
Questions and/or comments regarding Universities21 should be directed to Mary Ann Schwartz, editor, or e-mail M-Schwartz@neiu.edu.
