Thanks for this brilliant, thoughtful and helpful post on how universities should respond to a possible challenge from Trump. I agree entirely.
But one small thing I would say is this. We should correct our mistakes and excesses. But it is also important to communicate that actually most of the classroom experience in our universities is not quite as polarised or censorious as is depicted. I think there are complex social trends at play in the student body. But in classroom settings the overwhelming body of teachers are still responsible, professional and encourage proper rigorous debate. And so are the students even when talking about difficult issues. Our practice is better than the representation of it.
I in fact worry more about "methodological" diversity in the social sciences and humanities , not merely political diversity. The demands of culumlation of knowledge, the premium to working within certain paradigms, has often created more methodological monocultures in departments across the board and often diminished our ability to grasp social reality (To a hammer eveything looks like a nail syndrome). You are exceptional in being able to navigate theory, math, historical approaches cultural studies, sociology, institutional thinking on their own terms. But I think there is often much less of that than is desirable
Great piece. Although I hate Trump, some of what he said I found exciting. But much of it is chilling and the New College example is not at all encouraging.
I would hate to see the environment for free expression get worse in the opposite direction. That's almost impossible to imagine, though. I'm not sure what it would even look like at most universities.
Thanks for this brilliant, thoughtful and helpful post on how universities should respond to a possible challenge from Trump. I agree entirely.
But one small thing I would say is this. We should correct our mistakes and excesses. But it is also important to communicate that actually most of the classroom experience in our universities is not quite as polarised or censorious as is depicted. I think there are complex social trends at play in the student body. But in classroom settings the overwhelming body of teachers are still responsible, professional and encourage proper rigorous debate. And so are the students even when talking about difficult issues. Our practice is better than the representation of it.
I in fact worry more about "methodological" diversity in the social sciences and humanities , not merely political diversity. The demands of culumlation of knowledge, the premium to working within certain paradigms, has often created more methodological monocultures in departments across the board and often diminished our ability to grasp social reality (To a hammer eveything looks like a nail syndrome). You are exceptional in being able to navigate theory, math, historical approaches cultural studies, sociology, institutional thinking on their own terms. But I think there is often much less of that than is desirable
Agree on all counts. Will try to write a post on this and link to your comment.
Great piece. Although I hate Trump, some of what he said I found exciting. But much of it is chilling and the New College example is not at all encouraging.
I would hate to see the environment for free expression get worse in the opposite direction. That's almost impossible to imagine, though. I'm not sure what it would even look like at most universities.
This webinar hosted by FIRE covers some of these issues, may be of interest:
https://youtu.be/iL-plLVeOSU?si=zXIn_PtlZuifHmwr