Univerzitetska nastava u „tvrdim“ i „mekim“ naukama: akademska plemena ili ka zajedničkoj kulturi?
University Teaching in “Hard” and “Soft” Sciences: Academic Tribes, or Towards a Common Culture?

Summary/Abstract: This paper critically analyzes the distinction between the so-called“hard” and “soft” sciences, with a particular emphasis on the teaching quality inthese academic fields. Firstly, it presents the origin and characteristics of this populardichotomy, as well the idea of a hierarchy of sciences in philosophy and sociology.It then points out the relative inadequacy of this hierarchy, but also its heuristicvalue, based on relevant and contemporary research on scientific knowledge anduniversity teaching. In this regard, it thoroughly analyzes the concepts of academictribes, territories, and epistemic cultures at the university environments. We arguethat the anthropological concept of culture can offer valuable insights into the innerworkings of physical, life, and social sciences, and claim that different academiccultures significantly influence the character of university teaching. Finally, thispaper emphasizes the possibility of building a common academic culture in termsof teaching quality, i.e. a shared quality culture.

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