Passing The Torch Or Torching The Past?

Abstract

The issue of whether or not historic and fundamental theory is valuable enough to be included in introductory management courses in business schools is illustrated in this case, directed at aspiring educational administrators in any discipline. Opportunities are provided to consider the worth of teaching the basics to achieve academic discipline sustainability and practitioner validity, as well as in the possible counter productiveness of omitting them. Administrators are also challenged to evaluate the hypothetical benefits, or lack thereof, of tapping into the experience of retiring faculty members, specifically in examining curriculum topics that are considered foundations of that academic discipline. The gradual and sometimes subtle drifting away from teaching tried-and-true fundamentals by newly-minted instructors who favor cutting-edge theory is spotlighted, encouraging administrators to be proactive in monitoring course content of all pivotal introductory courses.