Originally published on May 4, 2016 (Episode 56)
Introduction
Everyone talks about college—but who really knows how it works? Possibly no single person on campus really knows how it all works. That’s how big and sprawling and diverse and incoherent a university or college can be. And all too often, no one thinks of what students think of the experience—or how they make college work for them, or don’t.
In How College Works, Daniel F. Chambliss and Christopher Takacs examine their own institution of Hamilton College to uncover how students actually experience higher education. Their findings overturn common assumptions about what matters. In the end, the conclude, it’s less about prestige, and more about relationships, mentoring, and lived experience.
They ultimately answer two excellent questions. In an era of shrinking budgets, how can colleges do more to improve the quality of education? And how can students get more out of college without paying higher tuition?
About the Guest
Daniel F. Chambliss is Eugene M. Tobin Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Hamilton College
For Further Investigation
Daniel Chambliss & Christopher Takacs, How College Works (Harvard, 2018)
Daniel Chambliss, Champions: The Making of Olympic Swimmers (William Morrow, 1988)
Related Episodes
“Higher Ed: A Guide for the Perplexed"—the Complete Series
Listen & Discuss
What “engraved” assumptions about college need rethinking? Share this episode with someone preparing to apply—or someone still paying off their loans.
