Using as a framework the "theory of careers" developed by John L. Holland, the authors of this volume examine the patterns of student stability and change inherent in the college experience, as well as the variations in professional attitudes and behaviors of college faculty. Their goal is to learn more about what colleges and universities might do to facilitate the retention, satisfaction, and learning of their students.
For example, why should faculties split over student-oriented teaching strategies, one group favoring the formal, structured classroom, the other a freer, more spontaneous environment? Why do some undergraduates become independent thinkers with strong analytical, mathematical, and scientific competencies while others develop powerful interpersonal and group leadership skills?
Holland's theory--at its core a person-environment fit theory--assumes that there are six personality types and six analogous academic environments and that the educational persistence, satisfaction, and achievement of students are a function of the congruence or "fit" between students and their academic environments. The authors also assume that there are circumstances under which the environments of the major field exert more influence on students than do the students' own personality traits. Applying Holland's theory to distinctive clusters of academic disciplines, the authors have found that the answers to such fundamental questions as those asked above emanate from a basic understanding of the influences of academic disciplines and the manner by which they shape the patterns of thought and behavior of both college students and faculty.
Academic Disciplines will benefit researchers and graduate students who study college students and faculty, as well as administrators and policymakers responsible for the performance of colleges and universities.

Academic Disciplines: Holland's Theory and the Study of College Students and Faculty (Vanderbilt Issues in Higher Education)

History

Feldman, Kenneth A.

Smart, John C.

Ethington, Corinna A.

Americas

Vanderbilt University Press

Published annually since 1985, the Handbook series provides a compendium of thorough and integrative literature reviews on a diverse array of topics of interest to the higher education scholarly and policy communities. Each chapter provides a comprehensive review of research findings on a selected topic, critiques the research literature in terms of its conceptual and methodological rigor, and sets forth an agenda for future research intended to advance knowledge on the chosen topic. The Handbook focuses on twelve general areas that encompass the salient dimensions of scholarly and policy inquiries undertaken in the international higher education community. The series is fortunate to have attracted annual contributions from distinguished scholars throughout the world.

Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Volume I (Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 1)

Education & Teaching

William G. Tierney

Higher & Continuing Education

Kluwer Academic Publishers

Published annually since 1985, the Handbook series provides a compendium of thorough and integrative literature reviews on a diverse array of topics of interest to the higher education scholarly and policy communities.

Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Volume II (Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 2)

Science & Math

Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Volume III (Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 3)

Published annually since 1985, the Handbook series provides a compendium of thorough and integrative literature reviews. These cover a diverse array of topics of interest to the higher education scholarly and policy communities.

Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Volume IV (Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 4)

Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Volume V (Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 5)

Published annually since 1985, the Handbook series provides a compendium of thorough and integrative literature reviews on a diverse array of topics of interest to the higher education scholarly and policy communities.

Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Volume VI (Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 6)

Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Volume VIII (Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 8)

Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Volume IX (Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 9)

Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, Volume X (Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research, 10)

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