Griffiths, Felicity Jane;
(2019)
The Making and Evolution of the University of London: Expanding Social and Religious Horizons.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
Abstract
This dissertation analyses the conception, founding and evolution of the University of London. Especially with regard to University College London (UCL), the London university’s proponents aspired to radically expand opportunities for university education in England, compared to Oxford and Cambridge. This study is based on archival research undertaken at several London sites. My findings and interpretations are enhanced by multidisciplinary, secondary literature up to the near present. The Introduction explains the methodology and provides a synopsis of my thesis. Chapters 1 and 2 examine the origins and fitful realisation of the radical University College London (UCL) and its Anglican competitor, King’s College London (KCL). Chapter 3 pertains to Hyman Hurwitz, teaching Hebrew at UCL, who was a pioneer as the first Jewish professor at an English university and secularised the teaching of Jewish subjects. Chapter 4 probes the history of University College School and King’s College School, respectively established as feeders for their universities, teaching liberal arts subjects. Both assisted in the breaking down of barriers to educational access, which to date appears to have remained unresearched. Chapter 5 discusses Indians as a distinct minority among university students. UCL apparently was the first English university to accept Indian students as a matter of policy as opposed to exception. Among the consequences, government and the universities felt compelled to confront rising Indian nationalism. The final chapter (6) covers attempts by Oxbridge, UCL and the newer colleges (the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the School of Oriental and African Studies) to further incorporate ‘Oriental’ subjects into their own curriculum, which it was hoped, would facilitate the integration of those students whose own backgrounds reflected these academic fields. Diversity and (what would later be termed) multiculturalism would become the most distinctive features of the University of London.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | The Making and Evolution of the University of London: Expanding Social and Religious Horizons |
| Event: | UCL (University College London) |
| Language: | English |
| UCL classification: | UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10083445 |
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