Original Research
Besit waardes rigtinggewend-normatiewe waarde? ’n Beoordeling van die Noordwes-Universiteit se waardeprojek
Koers - Bulletin for Christian Scholarship/Bulletin vir Christelike Wetenskap | Vol 75, No 2 | a84 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/koers.v75i2.84
| © 2010 B.J. van der Walt
| This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 26 July 2010 | Published: 26 July 2010
Submitted: 26 July 2010 | Published: 26 July 2010
About the author(s)
B.J. van der Walt, Skool vir Filosofie, Potchefstroomkampus, Noordwes-Universiteit, South AfricaFull Text:
PDF (254KB)Abstract
Do values contain directional-normative value? A review of the value project of the North-West University
As indicated in the title, the aim of this article is to determine the value (if any) of values, especially as expressed by a valuedriven institution. To avoid abstract reflection, the article (cf. the subtitle) focuses on a specific institution, viz. a university. To concretesise the investigation even more, the North-West University (which came into existence in 2004) is taken as a case study. The investigation develops as follows: by way of introduction, attention is first given to the popularity of present value thinking, followed by the problem statement: Are such values really capable of indicating a normative direction? Secondly, the development of a university with a normative foundation (the erstwhile Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education) towards a value-driven one (the new North-West University) is briefly described. In the third place a brief description of the NWU as a value-driven institution is given. Fourthly, attention is given to some practical problems which surfaced during the implementation of the value project. Fifthly, six theoretical-philosophical problems regarding the NWU’s value system are discussed. The next main point consists of a brief description from a reformational perspective (of structure, direction and relevance) of what an academic institution ought to be. Apart from expressing doubt about the real value of values to give a solid foundation and clear direction to a university, the preliminary conclusion also suggests further philosophical reflection on the real nature, status and authority of values.
As indicated in the title, the aim of this article is to determine the value (if any) of values, especially as expressed by a valuedriven institution. To avoid abstract reflection, the article (cf. the subtitle) focuses on a specific institution, viz. a university. To concretesise the investigation even more, the North-West University (which came into existence in 2004) is taken as a case study. The investigation develops as follows: by way of introduction, attention is first given to the popularity of present value thinking, followed by the problem statement: Are such values really capable of indicating a normative direction? Secondly, the development of a university with a normative foundation (the erstwhile Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education) towards a value-driven one (the new North-West University) is briefly described. In the third place a brief description of the NWU as a value-driven institution is given. Fourthly, attention is given to some practical problems which surfaced during the implementation of the value project. Fifthly, six theoretical-philosophical problems regarding the NWU’s value system are discussed. The next main point consists of a brief description from a reformational perspective (of structure, direction and relevance) of what an academic institution ought to be. Apart from expressing doubt about the real value of values to give a solid foundation and clear direction to a university, the preliminary conclusion also suggests further philosophical reflection on the real nature, status and authority of values.
Keywords
North-West University; Potchefstroom University For CHE; Christian University; Values
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