The Death and Resurrection of Protestant Higher Education in Europe

Abstract

Although Europe gave birth to the Protestant university, for all practical purposes by 1980 not one Protestant university existed in Europe. This chapter tells the story of the “death” of Protestant higher education in Europe and the important role nationalization and rationalism played in the drama. Yet, it also notes that this demise is not the end of the story. A small, but significant, resurrection of Protestant higher education has occurred since 1980 led by small groups bent upon retaining and building a Christian vision for education within secularized Europe. Today, Protestants have created new institutions or expanded old professional schools to create a number of institutions that are doing more than merely surviving. They still, however, face many difficulties. One of the biggest challenges facing these new institutions stems from the secularizing tendencies of nation-states and more recently, the European Union. In fact, the recent Bologna process instituted by the EU shows potential for creating new waves of secularization brought about in the interest of political unity and the fear of religious pluralism. Still, despite difficulties such as these, the entrepreneurial commitment of Protestants to create new institutions has remained resilient in the face of what appeared to be its.

Appendix: Research Questions Addressed Through Web Research and Interviews

History, Mission, and Identity

• 1. What led to the establishment of the institute/university? What role did a church or sponsoring religious organization play?

• 2. What is the mission of the institution? What makes this institution’s calling or mission unique?

• 3. What groups or entities does the university primarily seek to serve?

Christian Mission and Identity

• 4. What are markers used by the literature, students, faculty, and others to identity the institution as Christian? What would you say marks the institution as Christian?

Governance

• 5. How are decisions made at your university? Do you have a governing board? What role does the Church or do particular Church authorities play a role in the governance of your institution?

• 6. In what way does the Christian identity of the institution play a role in administrative decision-making?

• 7. Are there any religious tests or qualifications for administrative leaders?

• 8. How is your institution funded? What percentage of the funds come from the state? Tuition? Donations? The Church?

Faculty

• 9. What is the percentage of faculty who identify with the sponsoring denomination? Christian?

• 10. Do you require any sort of religious test for staff or faculty or leadership?

• 11. Has it been difficult to attract Christian faculty?

• 12. Have you had any conflicts between your Christian mission and the academic freedom of your professors?

Students

• 13. How do you attract your students? Do you advertise yourself as a religious/Christian institution? In what way?

• 14. What are the admissions requirements? Do they require any sort of religious test for students?

• 15. What are the percentages of students with sponsoring denomination’s affiliation? Christian? Has it been difficult to attract denominational/Christian students?

• 16. What are your policies and expectations regarding student conduct? Are they different from other secular universities?

• 17. What is your student discipline process?

Curriculum

• 18. How is the Christian identity of your institution evident in the general education and specialized disciplines taught at your institute/university? In what ways does your academic program have a Christian component? (e.g., particular theology requirements, etc.)

• 19. In what ways do you not only provide professional knowledge but also seek to provide students with a sense of life as a stewardship and work as a vocation?

• 20. How would you describe the relationship between faith and learning at your institution? What are the disciplines or who are some professors that are active at engaging faith and learning questions?

• 21. What centers and institutes further the Christian mission?

Cocurricular and Ethos

• 22. In what way does the Christian identity of the institution play a role in the cocurricular life of the university? (e.g., what kinds of required or voluntary religious services, practices, or events take place on campus?)

• 23. What role does Christian symbolism play on campus?

• 24. What Christian rituals, events, and programs does the university sponsor? (e.g., prayer, mass, etc.)

Culture, Community, and Country

• 25. What creative or redemptive role is your school playing in their particular cultures? What stories and examples capture this role?

• 26. Are you accredited? What is the accrediting body? What benefits and/or problems do you experience because of your current status?

• 27. As a Christian institution, have you had difficulty establishing positive relationships with the Ministry of Education/government officials? How do state-imposed academic standards influence your mission and programming?

• 28. Do you know of any other Christian higher education institutions in your country? Do you ever collaborate or consult with them? What organizations are affiliated with or support your institution?

• 29. What have been some of the toughest challenges you have faced as an institution? What adjustments have you made as a result? What challenges do you expect to face in the near future?

• 30. What is your future vision? What will your institute/university look like 10 or 20 years from now? Do you plan to add new undergraduate or graduate programs? What are some areas of study that look the most promising?

• 31. What are your thoughts about the future of Christian higher education in your country?