Original scientific paper
Social Dimension of the Bologna Process and (Un)Equality of Chances of Getting High Education: Some Croatian Experiences
Saša Puzić
orcid.org/0000-0001-7231-7312
; Institute for Social Research in Zagreb
Karin Doolan
; Institute for Social Research in Zagreb
Danijela Dolenec
; Institute for Social Research in Zagreb
Abstract
The article emphasizes the importance of the social dimension of higher education reforms
in Croatia and Europe, in view of the central task of Bologna process ministerial
meetings to define European policy recommendations which target the improvement of
quality and equality in European higher education systems. In line with that, the article attempts
to address issues concerning the normative level of higher education participation
in Croatia and whether higher education institutions contribute to reducing inequalities in
access and progress to higher education study, as well as whether higher education participation
in Croatia is mediated by social status. These issues are approached in three steps.
Firstly, on the basis of analysing Bologna process official documents, the 'social dimension'
of higher education is conceptualised. This is followed by a short review of characteristic
theoretical approaches to educational and social inequalities; and finally, some aspects
of the Croatian higher education system are analysed on both a normative and empirical
level, the latter giving an insight into the social characteristics of the Croatian student
body.
Keywords
higher education; the Bologna process; the social dimension; Bernstein; Bourdieu; cultural capital; cultural reproduction; social exclusion; status groups; student population
Hrčak ID:
93828
URI
Publication date:
22.12.2006.
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