Hot Mic

Omakase

Amazon Search

Academic Freedom

Not really a two-way street:

(Denver’s) Metro State College is investigating a professor who asked students to write an essay critical of Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin. One student said the instructor singled out Republican students in the class and allowed others to ridicule them. 

It’s too soon to say what an event like this will do to the once noiseband-level reputation of Metro State College – where success begins with you! –  and its equally anonymous English instructor Andrew Hallam.

Share

11 comments to Academic Freedom

  • Flatlander

    We are ever so close to RIGHTSPEAK and RIGHTTHINK.

    In the People’s Republic of Chicago, radio stations and sponsors become victims of organized harrassment whenever a program critical of Obama airs. The purpose: to block out any voice against Obama, and to block any intelligent discourse on his qualifications. Because such discussion is a “slur” by definition.

    The hooligans are close to becoming an unofficial arm of the government. USA, welcome to Chicago-style governance.

  • Taxi1

    Someone should ask their students to write an essay critical of English Instructor Andrew Hallam.

  • Seems to me that things like this are effectively in-kind contributions to the Democratic campaign. The value of the instructor’s time during this class, together with the fully-loaded cost of the facilities used, should be reported as a contribution by the college.

  • AW1 Tim

    Well heck,

    It’s worse than that up here in Maine. When my daughter was a senior in High School, she was elected as a representative to the State Republican Convention.

    You can imagine her apprehension when the majority of her teachers started showing up to class wearing Kerry/Edwards buttons openly on the coats and blouses. She was afraid to say anything because she had an excellent GPA, was inline for a great scholarship, and didn’t want to risk having her teachers down-grade her because of her political views.

    I complained to the school principle, and to the superintendant, and was told flat out that it was a case of “Free Speech” and that nothing could be done about it.

    They did, of course, send my son home from school for looking too “Goth”.. saying that his attire would be “disruptive” to the other students.

    Go figure… eh?

  • Tim – my how times have changed. I experienced something similar to this college incident while I was in junior high school – election 1976 – Ford vs. Carter.

    I supported Ford; my history and current events teach was a Democrat. Derision wasn’t even the half of it for the 4 of us who followed our own consciences and supported Ford – derision from our fellow students and our teacher.

    My parents were none-to-happy about how I was being treated, and complained. They remained mum about their complaint until after the actual elections were over.

    In the meantime, my teacher suddenly stopped his partisan treatment of students, even reprimanding students who were dismissive – or worse- of the few who were supporting Ford.

  • Humble1390

    Wow. . .now, I can remember having assignments in HS and Trade Skool where we could pick a current event/political topic and write about it from one angle or another. . .but there was always a choice, two sides to take.

    I have a hard time believing things have degenerated THIS bad. Or maybe I just don’t want to.

    Would it have killed them to publish the exact text of the assignment?

  • Flatlander

    This is the tip of the iceberg. Politics is pervasive in both the social science/history and science curricula of many high schools, never mind college.

    Environmentalism has become the new religion of science. Global Warming is a chapter in the new religion, taught not as a theory but as a fact.

  • virgil xenophon

    “Noise-band–level reputation?” Lex, how dare you slur that Citadel (apologies to Columbia) of higher learning!?! Why, isn’t it’s academic reputation constantly on everyone’s lips? I spent some time TDY
    (TAD to you squids) there there in 67 and I can ASSURE you that institution was #1 topic of conversation EVERYWHERE.

  • GeoSTI

    I am very thankful that my economics professor, teaching an Environmental Economics class, was open minded towards the three engineering students who toiled on a nuclear power report showing how it was cleaner, safer, and more practical than anything else out there. So much so that she reconsidered her own position and further re-enforced her belief in keeping an open mind and letting the facts prove themselves.

    Shame not all of academia is like that. Other than shutting up and bearing it, how can more conservative (in the minds of the left, at least) students fight back?

  • David

    I am a 42 year old male college student…..global economy requires an education these days and damn it is EXPENSIVE. Anyway I give you this background so I can tell you first hand how prevalent this behavior is among the PAID staff. I have no problem with an open, honest and non partisan discussion. Unfortunately these highly educated professionals(and well paid by me) are completely out of line.

    I hope some college professors are reading this post right now…….you know I am right and you know you are wrong, no matter how much you try to spin the “critical thinking” line to your superiors.

    Unfortunately your superiors are probably in complete agreement with your views, hence why it takes public outrage in order for you to be reprimanded.

    It is a shame you use your influence in such a subversive way. Integrity is an important part of civilization, perhaps a period of introspection and self evaluation is needed on your part.

    Independent voter here(because both parties are guilty for the mess we are in) who is voting for McCain just so we do not have a one party rule in DC. If I remember correctly George Bush enjoyed a republican controlled house and senate…..and where did that get us?

    I shudder at the thought of a Dean/Pelosi/Obama trifecta in DC…..that is scary stuff.

  • doorkeeper

    #4 AW1Tim, I wonder if those teachers had been wearing crosses in their lapels, or reading a Bible? Free speech my arse!
    d

eXTReMe Tracker

View My Stats