Politics: An ACTA Must-Read and a Boston University Don’t-Bother-Reading
From the American Council of Trustees and Alumni:
“An article from today’s New York Times considers the debate over the extent to which professorial politics influences students. While nearly everyone agrees that faculties on the whole tend be politically one-sided, many observers dispute whether this imbalance has any consequence in the classroom. Brooklyn College history professor KC Johnson says “yes,” pointing out that the problem is less political than pedagogical, with many disciplines within the humanities (such as diplomatic and military history) being pushed to the margins. ACTA’s own Anne Neal agrees, noting that the problem lies not in a simplistic “left-right” characterization, but instead to the essence of what is taught. Do professors influence students? Yes, surely, since students cannot know what is not taught. That is why ACTA advocates the need for institutions to demand a coherent core curriculum offering exposure to such central subjects as Western Civilization and American History.
ACTA has, as the Times notes, followed these issues closely, with our publications on Intellectual Diversity and the core curriculum advancing a critique of the current state of higher education, and showing ways in which trustees can help their institutions reach a solution.”
What isn’t taught is, at this point, more destructive than much of the tripe that is taught.
When you’re done with those links, hop on down a few rungs and read the latest plea from Boston University Dean of Students Kenn Elmore. In “It’s time to show them what we’ve got”, Elmore writes with all the flair, conviction and intellectual seriousness of A Christmas Story’s Ralphie on that ‘What I Want for Christmas’ theme:
“Plenty of naysayers doubt that individuals with the opportunity to vote for the first time will actually show up. They also point to prior statistics that cast a doubt that you — a young voter, a student — will even show up tomorrow or have cast an absentee ballot by now. We often hear about record numbers of young people registering to vote but are disappointed on election day. We apparently want to be on the list but just don’t have the time to make it to the party.
Let’s show the country that its young people care and have a say in the direction of our cities, towns, states, and nation. Your local candidates, referenda questions, and national officers in waiting need to know that you showed up and made a decision. Get prepped and do what you’ve got to do tomorrow. Show the nation that we’re here and ready to bring it in the future. Show ‘em what you got!
Be safe and stay well,
Kenn Elmore
P.S. Don’t forget that there are elections held every year (not every four).”
C+!
That post script is in line with an older post in which the good Dean “bemoans” the ignorant public.
Though I’m impressed that he nailed referendum/referenda, I do wish the Deanship was an elected and not an appointed position.
