The life and death of a course

Abstract

Research into higher education is an expanding field, but it is notable that, while certain kinds of research get funded, undertaken and reported, others generally do not. Thus, articles that critique developing national policies are commonplace, as are reports evaluating the positive effects of innovations in course design or institutional practices. By contrast, there is relatively little available on the everyday details of the academic experience—our careers, the lives of departments, our relationship with the courses we teach—and almost nothing that reflects upon failure. This article endeavours to make a small contribution to developing this meagre literature further. It seeks to present an account of, and reflection upon, the life history of one course: a course that was introduced, grew, flourished, declined and was closed down; and that, in the process, had a major impact upon my life. In doing so, my hope is that my account will chime, to some extent, with others’ experiences, and help to encourage the development of a more honest and lived higher education research literature.