The Post-Medieval reform aligned the very educational methods and missions we use in
universities today. This time in history allowed for higher education to take an ethical and
philosophical stance on the value of the people; better known as Humanism. The focus of
athletics and arts were now paired with systematic instruction of history, literary arts, ethics,
composition and grammar. This new era brought an appreciation of classical studies in the very
places that did not see its purpose during the medieval period.
New schools were created seeking the rationalism that humanism stood for, but now all
countries were prepared to embark of the new standards set in the Renaissance. It wasnt until
King Henry VIII gave his support for a literary revival that practicing humanism increase.
Although some disagreed, the majority sought education to increase literary skills to find work in
administration and government. It took time for universities to change into institutions that
Universities began to change their structure in every way. While classroom instruction
and curriculum became focused on the humanistic thought, the university itself began to function
in ways we still see today. Admissions geared higher education to those who wanted to advance
professionally. Although schools aimed their focus to produce leaders a few saw the
Confessionalism spread as Lutherans criticized universities for not using their platform to
promote the church. Rapidly the idea spread and the scope of the university changed once again.
This movement led to the private non-secular institutions we have today. The counter-
reformation of the church didnt overshadow the critical need for the evolution of science.
Victoria Coefield Post-Medieval Written Assignment September 12, 2016
To explain the natural phenomena and search for a better explanation of the universe,
Europeans had to strengthen their study of the sciences. The seventeenth century brought many
scientific breakthroughs. The scientific inquiry era revived the thoughts of Descartes, checked
the work of Newton and basked in the research of Galileo. The definition of the term science
Humanism has changed the view point of the purpose of higher education. Confessionalism
allows religion and politics a place in higher education. Scientific inquiry grants diversity in
finding a solution and holds the information learned at an institution accountable with proper
evidence of truth. Although higher education has evolved, especially in America, it is important