The Challenges of Legal Education in the Neoliberal University

17 Pages Posted: 3 Oct 2015 Last revised: 15 Feb 2019

Date Written: September 15, 2015

Abstract

Neoliberalism, a business-oriented ideology promoting corporatism, profit-seeking, and elite management, has found its way into the modern American university. As neoliberal ideology envelops university campuses, the idea of law professors as learned academicians and advisors to students as citizens in training, has given way to the concept of professors as brokers of marketable skills with students as consumers. In a legal setting, this concept pushes law students to view their education not as a means to contribute to society and the professional field, but rather as a means to make money. These developments are especially problematic for minority students and faculty who wish to remain grounded in their communities.

Keywords: neoliberalism,university governance, academic freedom, academic tenure, adjunct professors

Suggested Citation

McDougall, Harold A., The Challenges of Legal Education in the Neoliberal University (September 15, 2015). 72 Nat'l Law. Guild Rev. 65 (2015) , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2668644 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2668644

Harold A. McDougall (Contact Author)

Howard University School of Law ( email )

2900 Van Ness Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
United States

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