Ramsay a potential fillip for the humanities

Wollongong and Queensland universities are approaching the western civilisation course from different angles.

With the ink signed on one Ramsay Western civilisation course at the University of Wollongong and progress announced on another possible one at the University of Queensland, it’s time to look at what these degrees will bring to higher education in Australia and whether they are likely to be successful.

One good thing is that we will get variety.

Wollongong is planning a three-plus-two double degree — three years of Western civilisation and then two years of some other major.

Queensland, in its proposal to the Ramsay Centre, is offering something different — dual options for students. One is a pumped-up version of its existing advanced humanities honours program with 12 new great books courses. The other is a new double degree in advanced humanities and law. As we know the Western legal system has its roots in Greek, Roman and Judeo-Christian thinking, so this is a sensible ­pairing.

So far so good. And if a third university can square off a deal with Ramsay, it should, ideally, offer something different again.

Now comes the hard part. Contrary to appearances, given the bitter dispute over these Western civilisation degrees, the real effort comes once Ramsay’s money starts flowing through the door and the new degrees are established.

Ramsay has, rightly, set a high bar for itself on the quality of these courses. Can this standard be met?

Universities will be hiring new academics. Will they go for established international stars? Will established stars want to come to Australia on what will probably be a fixed-term contract for a course that has not yet proved itself? And is there sufficient money to hire the big names?

My suggestion is that Australia’s Ramsay courses should start off more modestly. They should hire excellent scholars who, while they may not be the biggest name in their field, will be willing to work diligently and patiently to create something worthwhile.

No great institution was built overnight, and the same applies to the Ramsay-sponsored Western civilisation courses. They should aim not for instant success but for long term endurance.

After a decade or so they might be a jewel in the crown of Australian higher education. They could be an Antipodean equivalent of America’s liberal art colleges. We need to give them the latitude to get there. And the Ramsay Centre will need to keep on stumping up funding.

Another question is how well student-focused, small-group teaching will fit into Australian academic culture.

Will academics be happy to adhere to a great-books curriculum rather then teaching topics related to their research interests? Will Australia’s research-centred academics be willing to adapt to the teaching focus of the Western civilisation degrees?

There could be another long-term benefit if the Ramsay courses manage to establish themselves and win a reputation. It might be a shot in the arm for the study of the humanities in Australia.

Currently, students are losing interest and faculties are struggling to ward off decline.

Challenging content, intellectual heft and a willingness to tackle the big questions could make a big difference.