Academia Stack Exchange
Academia Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [united-states]

On standards or conventions specific to the United States higher education system, which differs in structure and style from the systems in other parts of the world.

The educational system in the United States differs in structure and style from the systems in other parts of North America, South America, Europe, Asia, or Oceania.

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Why are most of the top universities American?

In any ranking system, at least 50% of top universities (top 100, for example) are American. What is special about American higher education?
Jia
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Why attend predatory colleges in the US?

I just read this article about predatory colleges in the US: S. Cagle, These students were ruined by predatory colleges. Now they’re getting even. I am not from the US and didn't ask in the comments of that site because I wouldn't want to insult…
Valjean
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Why do American universities receive lots of endowments?

The amount of endowments that American universities receive is much more than European counterparts. Why alumni of American universities and other people have such a big desire to donate money to universities. This happens in Europe too, but much…
Jia
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Is it considered unusual in the United States for a professor to run a class outside on the grass?

An American professor lectured in our university about American higher education. He mentioned that the university environment is not limited to formal education (what is the case in Europe more or less). A university courtyard is like a park and…
Jia
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Should students' nonhuman identity be taken seriously in classroom settings?

For students who identify as nonhuman animals, should the requests for nonhuman pronouns, animal names, and animal vocalizations be taken seriously in college classroom settings? My question is not about specific school's policy (after reading all…
Bilbo
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Are public lectures popular in USA?

In Poland where I study, public lectures by professors from other universities are not common (maybe one or two lectures every semester in my faculty). I stayed one semester in USA as an exchange student. There were 2-3 public lectures every week in…
Ewa
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Are there lists of academics fired for controversial personal lives?

This previous post explores possibilities of academics not getting hired or getting fired because of their personal lives. Answers and comments there focus on the US legal concept of Protected Classes. Bill Barth's comment mentions the legality of…
Pteromys
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What does "observing research" mean?

When applying for exchange at US university, only using ESTA (visa waiver program for Europeans (EU)), I may only "observe research" but not "conduct research". What does "observing research" include? I could not find any examples.
Mathnoob
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Is it generally acceptable to refuse to teach Summer classes?

I am a tenured professor in a public university in USA, with 9-month salary. This Summer, I have been assigned to teach a Summer class, and I just found out that I will not be paid to do that (yes, 0% of salary). Will it be reasonable to refuse to…
Timmy
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What is a “capstone track” in a Master’s program?

I've read in this other question: The Master's program (Software Engineering) I'm enrolled in offers both a thesis track and capstone track. I'm somewhat familiar with the overall US academic system, but I've never heard of a “capstone track”…
F'x
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Ok to ask about grading scale?

This is in the US. I have a professor (humanities) who grades everything with check, check plus, or check minus. Then, from these grades, she computes a numerical score and from there gives a letter grade. I wanted to calculate my score in the class…
Hank
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What is the meaning of the various postdoctoral job descriptions in the US?

As somebody who wasn't born or raised in North America, is there a schematic explanation what those various terms are supposed to be mean? Does it differ between the types of institutions? Are there specific fixed meanings to keywords such…
Ambicion
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Major field of study and its specializations in the USA

I am not a resident of the USA and I am not familiar with the system and the hierarchy of fields of studies and specializations. I have several questions: Computer Science is a Major Field of Study, right? Are Software Engineering and Computer…
Emil Kabirov
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Are extremely-time-constrained tests typical of the American higher educational system?

In this video, the guy claims that his sociology test consisted of 38 multiple-choice questions and that he only had 15 minutes to finish it. The lady claims that her control engineering test consisted of having to derive a transfer function of a…
FlatAssembler
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Administration threatening expulsion over absences in audited class

I just received an email from my school's administration (Pima medical if that means anything) that due to having an average of over 15% absence from class, I have to meet with someone from student services and administration where I may be expelled…
Nicholas W
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