FORM 8000 Special Topics in Formative Education: Experimental Higher Education Working Group

An ongoing working group exploring the history, philosophy, and political-economy of the university; engaging in fieldwork in alternative institutions stressing purpose, place, and personhood; and planning conference on alternative models of higher education.

Course overview

Department
Formative Education
School
Lynch
Credits
3
Level
Graduate
Offered
Annually

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
4.07 / 5 · Very Good
14 responses
Instructor rating
4.78 / 5 · Excellent
14 responses
Terms evaluated
2
Most recent: Spring 2026

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Spring 2026Caitlyn Bolton4.84.84.85.04.84.85.04.84–6 hrs/week6 of 6
Summer 2024Christopher Higgins3.55.04.34.34.84.34.55.0—4 of 8
Summer 2024Claire Katz3.54.54.34.34.84.34.55.0—4 of 8

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

Sections

  • Section 01
    Spring 2027 · Christopher Higgins · By Arrangement · Offered
  • Section 02
    Spring 2027 · Christopher Higgins · By Arrangement · Offered
  • Section 03
    Spring 2027 · Christopher Higgins · By Arrangement · Offered
  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Christopher Higgins · By Arrangement · Offered
  • Section 02
    Fall 2026 · Christopher Higgins · By Arrangement · Offered
  • Section 03
    Fall 2026 · Christopher Higgins · By Arrangement · Offered
  • Section 01
    Summer 2026 · Kristen Case · By Arrangement · Offered