In this Discussion, you will look more closely at the case study issue you debated in Discussion 1. To prepare for this Discussion, consider everything you discovered about the case study. Conduct a search to obtain at least three scholarly articles that relate to the issue you debated. Finally, consider how the process of exploring and debating issues relates to your role as a change agent and advanced graduate degree student.

Keep in mind that the articles you obtain may support or refute the position you held in the debate, or they may introduce a different perspective altogether. Your purpose in this Discussion is to learn more about the issue you have been exploring.

Submit a post that does the following:

• Explains what you discovered about the issue from the debate and from the resources you located for this Discussion.

• Identifies answers to the questions you have raised about the issue

• Identifies new questions you have about the issue.

• Explains how you might apply the critical analysis and research skills you have practiced this week to your role as a student and as a professional.

Case Study for Issues in Higher Education

The materials in this case study are a combination of authentic public domain documents and simulated documents created specifically for the case study that draw on authentic research and data from government and scholarly sources, and from the opinions of experts in the field. The scenario outlines real issues in higher education, but Rogal College is a fictional institution, invented for the purposes of this case study.

Scenario

You are on the "Programming & Curriculum Development" task force of a small, private college, Rogal College, which is trying to improve its national standing as an undergraduate institution. Your task is to take a stand on whether the institution should increase curricular focus, funding, and new hiring for professional and technical fields or maintain a more purely academic, liberal arts education with a focus on the humanities.

As you examine this issue, consider the following perspectives: What role does a college or university play in society? How will the college's decision to alter or maintain its curricular focus affect students and alumni? How will the college's decision affect funding and academic status for the institution? What is the best preparation Rogal can offer to help its students succeed after graduation? How will the task force's decision affect pedagogy in the classroom? Finally, take into consideration various stakeholders: current and future students, alumni, current teaching staff, the administration, and business leaders.