<p>@DA, just to clarify. The author (Ferrall) would disagree with you specifically on the point of research universities, not over “curriculum,” but over who’s TEACHING it. Even at the best research universities, you have mid- to large lecture courses where the actual “face” time of education is handled by graduate assistants and not by professors. Professors at research universities retain their jobs NOT on the basis of course evaluations, but rather on professional stature (publication and other public service beyond the university) and their ability to bring in grants. I would hazard to say the majority of these professionals consider undergraduate education an onerous distraction. At the LACs, courses are taught by professors, and their ability to retain their jobs is predicated on their success as teachers.</p>
<p>As you point out, both systems have certain strengths, but Liberal Arts at the Brink does a good job of clearly delineating some of the differences, as well.</p>
<p>P.S.–as an aside, at Loomis Chaffee, where son will be enrolling in the fall, seniors can elect to serve as “Teaching Assistants” to the main teacher in the school’s freshman history courses. Pre-university training at the LA BS? ;)</p>