Mexico

Abstract

Doctoral programs began in Mexico around the middle of the twentieth century. These programs evolved as an outgrowth of the existing scholar tradition within the humanities (philosophy) and through the initiatives of research-oriented faculty who had obtained their training mostly in Europe and in the United States. The generation of Spanish scholars that came to Mexico fleeing from Spain's Civil War enhanced this tradition. Therefore, the beginning of doctoral programs in the country may be better understood as the result of international forces rather than the normal development of its higher education (HE) system. The exogenous nature of the origins of doctoral programs in Mexico explains some of their present characteristics. The introduction of doctoral programs created a tension between the professional and academic views of HE, as well as between the science and humanities communities regarding their positions about "truth" and their different attitudes towards research and scholarship. These differences had important effects also beyond doctoral programs, extending to other facets of university life and even further. Before the creation of doctoral programs, universities in Mexico had very limited academic personnel in the modern sense. Professors were mostly learned professionals who taught at the various professional schools around which the universities were organized. In addition to teaching, the professors' main commitment was to satisfy their everyday practice obligations. There was little expectation of research or scholarship. However, some faculty members did in fact produce scholarly books, mainly used.