Abstract

MURCIA-PENA, Napoleón; PINTOS DE CEA NAHARRO, Juan Luís  and  OSPINA-SERNA, Héctor Fabio. Function Versus Institution: Images of University Professors and Students . educ.educ. [online]. 2009, vol.12, n.1, pp.63-91. ISSN 0123-1294.

The article presents the findings of a study done at the Universidad de Caldas (Colombia) to understand the social images or representations now being constructed by professors and students at that university. The methodology was designed on the basis of three instances: preconfiguration, which included an approximation to reality aimed at defining the direction of the search; configuration, in which the techniques and tools for collecting and processing information were redefined; and reconfiguration, in which the meaning was constructed. The principie findings show that professors and students genérate new imaginary social meanings or representations on the basis of instituted images. This is associated with the strong influence of prefigurative cultures in university Ufe and with the organizational tradition of the university, which is regarded as an economic-functional organization and not as a social institution.

Keywords : Social research; Student teacher relationship; Social interaction; Colombia; Teaching practice.

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