Forbilder og danning i profesjonsutdanningene: Casestudie – Krigsskolen

Authors

  • Leif Inge Magnussen Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge
  • Glenn Egil Torgersen Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge
  • Ole Boe Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge
DOI: https://doi.org/10.23865/nse.v41.2214

Abstract

This research paper investigates the meaning of role models in higher education. As a case, the Norwegian Military Academy (NMA), which educates military officers for the Norwegian army, is used. Particularly investigated is how role models can be seen as resources in the “learning landscape” surrounding the army officer cadets through their 3 years of learning and Bildung processes. Data used in this work stem from an ethnographic fieldwork following a class of cadets at the NMA through their practical training, off-campus. Officer cadets in interviews report both intentional and unintentional use of role models as a resource in their learning landscapes. By critical educational interpretation of this ongoing practice, using the frame of Wolfgang Klafkis Bildungstheory and “the perfect action principle”, the relationships between this practice and the NMA’s own Bildungideals are questioned. Role models are at the NMA linked to their own leaders, culture and practice. This narrows what is valid practice and can enforce a self-driven power structure and a one-dimensional understanding of how leadership should be performed, where only people within this culture can be seen as participants. We argue that the risks of this NMA practice are related to organisational narcissism and a possible distorted reality orientation, where the NMA fails it’s given educational tasks related to the need of the society and future demands of war.

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Author Biographies

Leif Inge Magnussen, Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge

Førsteamanuensis, Handelshøyskolen, Institutt for økonomi, historie og samfunnsvitenskap, Campus Vestfold

 

Glenn Egil Torgersen, Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge

Professor, Institutt for økonomi, historie og samfunnsvitenskap, Campus Vestfold

Ole Boe, Universitetet i Sørøst-Norge

Professor, Handelshøyskolen, Institutt for industriell økonomi, strategi og statsvitenskap, Campus Drammen

Published

2021-02-08

How to Cite

Magnussen, L. I., Torgersen, G. E., & Boe, O. (2021). Forbilder og danning i profesjonsutdanningene: Casestudie – Krigsskolen. Nordic Studies in Education, 41(1), 24–46. https://doi.org/10.23865/nse.v41.2214

Issue

Section

Articles

Keywords:

Bildung, military leadership, role models, learning landscapes