Understanding the transformation of university in western context: a methodological essay

This study aims to understand the institutional transformation of university with historical perspective.The university has been presumed as an institution of Western civilization within a perspective that extends from medieval times to present. It is possible to identify two different university model in this time period; medieval university and modern university. Also the modern university model is divided into four sub-models within itself; German, French, English and American. Both distinctions about university are explained by the political and economic conditions of the period and the country that the university belongs. The differences pointed out by these distinctions are embodied in the context of the university’s missions and autonomy concept. A new university model called entrepreneurial university model is discussed within the context of information society in current literature. These discussions are also included at the end of the study