Student Culture and University Education at Universities

Abstract

　 When we talk about university education, it is necessary for any discussion of student characteristics and student culture to be based on empirical data.

　 The university system and university education have a big influence on the socialization of students. More specifically, the structure of a university, various groups within the university, the curriculum, and educational activities both within and outside the university have a formative influence on the acquisition of knowledge, job skills, and student values. The extent of the various influences on students varies in accordance with their background characteristics such as sex and social class, and with their grades, aspirations and values, as well as with parental expectations.

　 University students are more influenced by university classes than in the past. At the same time, many students still like to look on their university years as a kind of moratorium, during which they can challenge their potential and spend time on what they like doing. Moreover, students are looking for a “university as a community”, in which they can have various experiences.

　 Modern students tend to be obedient, and are easily influenced by their universities, their teachers and the kind of educational direction and guidance that they are given. However, the formation of autonomy and independence in students is also the purpose of university education.

　 How do university students position their university years within their life course as a whole? In order to advance university policy, it is necessary to collect empirical data on the actual condition of students and student culture by looking at how students build up their identity, acquire job skills and develop citizenship.