All entries for Monday 13 June 2005

What is a university?

Considered with the methodology that Manuel De Landa employs in A Thousand Years of Non-linear History .

A university consists of many smaller bodies, some more formal than others, some more hierarchical than rhizomatic, networked or meshworked. These bodies attract, pass around and process the incoming streams of energy that sustain and extend the bodies. There are multiple streams. including the annual input and turnover of students, research funding and projects, academic careers, and technical and administrative mechanisms (including external legislation). As the streams are diverted and processed, the various bodies rely upon and interfere with each other, often bringing the separate streams into contact. Each individual stream also has three aspects, each of which is dependent upon the other through often complex connections. The three aspects are cash, creative opportunity, and affirmation of individuality (always a collaborative and tribal process). These three aspects feed and sustain the bodies.

Robert O'Toole : 13 Jun 2005 13:03 |  Tags: E-Learning Warwick University |  Comments (2) |  Close comments |  Report a problem