※ [本文轉錄自 striking 信箱]
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=411318&c=1
There is such a thing as sociology at Birmingham
21 April 2010
By John Morgan
Plan to scrap the subject is dropped along with threat of compulsory
redundancies. John Morgan reports
Sociology will remain a teaching and research subject at the University of
Birmingham following a campaign by staff and students.
A report to the university’s council had recommended that the department of
sociology be scrapped and that an undergraduate programme in the subject be
transferred to the School of Social Policy.
Under the proposals, only three
staff would have been retained and about 12 could have faced compulsory
redundancy.
Last week, however, the council decided to transfer sociology to the department
of political sciences and international studies along with six staff. It added
that there would be no compulsory redundancies.
A university spokeswoman said sociology would “remain a vibrant research and
teaching discipline”, but the discipline’s media, culture and society degree
would be withdrawn.
A member of the sociology department, who asked not to be named, said that
those not being transferred were being offered redeployment or a voluntary
severance package.
The campaign to save the subject had resulted in “meaningful consultation”
that had brought changes to the initial proposals, they added.
“We think that is a positive outcome in terms of protecting and developing
sociology at Birmingham, and avoiding compulsory redundancies,” the staff
member continued. “But students and staff are all disappointed at the
withdrawal from activities in media, culture and society because we feel
Birmingham was a world-leading brand in that area.”
The university had cited a decline in recruitment as the reason for ending the
degree, the member of staff said.
A university spokeswoman said the council’s recommendations came after
“a detailed consultation with staff and students over recent months, and a
number of key points raised during the consultation were adopted in the final
proposals”.
The media, culture and society degree would be withdrawn over “a period of
time” and teaching for current students would not be affected.
The changes would be implemented “without compulsory redundancies”,
the spokeswoman said.
“These changes reflect the University of Birmingham’s wider academic vision,
focusing on academic excellence and investment in areas of world-leading
research and teaching,” she added.
“While the sector faces economic challenges, we are building a sustainable
economic future for the university and will be investing in academic excellence
”
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※ 編輯: striking 來自: 140.112.156.4 (04/30 14:26)