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Is it Time to Rationalise Humanities Education in Australian Public Universities?
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Is it Time to Rationalise Humanities Education in Australian Public Universities?

Michael B Charles, Marcus K Harmes and Michael A Kortt
Economic Papers, Vol.41(3), pp.202-214
09/2022

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Abstract

general economics education and research institutions national government expenditures and related policies
This study examines how Australian public universities have a presence in the various discipline areas recognised by the Australian Academy of the Humanities. Using the prism of public value, we interpret how universities articulate the legitimacy of teaching humanities. Through a careful audit of available secondary data, we advance a typology of humanities education. Our principal finding is that Australia's humanities presence is surprisingly homogenous, with only a few universities proposing a specialised offering. We contend that this creates an environment where universities may be forced to consider abandoning their humanities offerings unless a higher degree of differentiation takes place.

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