Scholarly record

ACADEMIC RITUALS AND CEREMONIES IN ROMANIAN UNIVERSITIES OF THE 21ST CENTURY

M. Cernicova-Buca

Abstract

The study focuses on academic rituals as part of university culture in Romanian universities. It also tries to underline the role of academic rituals as communication instruments for the universities, both public and private. The latter category adopted the common ceremonies for academic life to gain legitimacy and recognition as part of the higher education area. The analysis focuses on a series of rituals identified in the Romanian universities, mainly the opening of the academic year, the graduation ceremony, anniversaries of the foundation and Open Doors events. It considers the architecture of the ritual highlights academic rituals seen as major components for the consolidation of institutional culture. Also, the study highlights the way institutional documents present the rituals and indicate the elements of ceremonial life in universities. The highest intensity of ritual event is the graduation ceremony, where participants embrace Medieval traditions and scenarios to mark the passage of a new generation from scholarly life to social engagement.

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