Kevin Barrett's college course required reading: $20 9/11 CT book

[CurtC]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061011/ap_on_re_us/instructor_sept11

The essay by Kevin Barrett, "Interpreting the Unspeakable: The Myth of 9/11," is part of a $20 book of essays by 15 authors, according to an unedited copy first obtained by WKOW-TV in Madison and later by The Associated Press.

[firecoins]

They need to teach critical thinking in universities and instead we get this b.s.

[dirtywick]

I'm really surprised a state school allows this as required reading. It's one thing to continue to let the guy teach at all, which is fair I think, but another to allow him to teach that. At least he's forced to debate his views with the students, and hopefully there will be a bright kid in there to challenge the ideas.

I'd drop the class personally, no way I'd pay to debate him.

[DavidJames]

I've often thought of going into the business of profiting off of peoples stupidity or greed. It seems to be one of the easiest professions to crack and requires little or no formal education, training, or experience.

Whether it's sending SPAM, or get rich quick scams. Selling worthless junk on e-bay, or writing books or public speaking on CTs. Or reading peoples minds or channeling dead people. It seems there is a never ending stream of idiots willing to give you their money.

Instead I wake up and work a real job with real budgets and real contacts to adhere to and real customers to satisfy. Maybe I'm the stupid one.

[Muckar-duva]

They need to teach critical thinking in universities and instead we get this b.s.

It should be tought earlier, in my opinion, ensuring that students at least have some kind of ground to stand on.

[firecoins]

I'm really surprised a state school allows this as required reading. It's one thing to continue to let the guy teach at all, which is fair I think, but another to allow him to teach that. At least he's forced to debate his views with the students, and hopefully there will be a bright kid in there to challenge the ideas.

I'd drop the class personally, no way I'd pay to debate him.
It isn't at all surprising. CUNY had a black professor claiming all sorts of conspiracies by white people. Who was the COlorado professor wha claimed to be an Indian but wasn't? I think he worked for a state school.

[Brainster]

It isn't at all surprising. CUNY had a black professor claiming all sorts of conspiracies by white people. Who was the COlorado professor wha claimed to be an Indian but wasn't? I think he worked for a state school.

Ward (F-Troop Indian) Churchill.

[dirtywick]

It isn't at all surprising. CUNY had a black professor claiming all sorts of conspiracies by white people. Who was the COlorado professor wha claimed to be an Indian but wasn't? I think he worked for a state school.

Really? Wow, I didn't know that.

It seems like an abuse of authority to allow it. Challenging the teacher's views, especially views that appear in a published book which somehow always adds credibility, could be detrimental to your grade. I think most students would at least consider that a possibility and opt to keep their mouths shut. I also think that having differing views and stating so could be deemed as not understanding the material easily and effect your grade, only in this case it's not anything that's provable and differing views should be accepted.

It's not going to end well in any case. I don't like it. Maybe the school will catch on that it's forcing students to learn BS and any debate is going to be half-hearted at best.

[jhunter1163]

Ward (F-Troop Indian) Churchill.

I wonder if he ever caught ze Burglair of Ban-ff-ff.

[Redtail]

It should be tought earlier, in my opinion, ensuring that students at least have some kind of ground to stand on.
Dear god yes it should! There are times in my classes where I want to scream "WHAT THE BLUE %*&# IS WRONG WITH YOU!!!!" The most recent being a student saying "But Egypt isn't in Africa."

As far as the students debating, I doubt many will. Most fear going up against a Professor too much even if they know the Prof is wrong. To get my students in my speech classes to argue an Idea in which they know I would be on the opposite side takes most of the semester.

[Arus808]

I'd drop the class personally, no way I'd pay to debate him.

my thoughts exactly.

[Muckar-duva]

Dear god yes it should! There are times in my classes where I want to scream "WHAT THE BLUE %*&# IS WRONG WITH YOU!!!!" The most recent being a student saying "But Egypt isn't in Africa."

As far as the students debating, I doubt many will. Most fear going up against a Professor too much even if they know the Prof is wrong. To get my students in my speech classes to argue an Idea in which they know I would be on the opposite side takes most of the semester.

Wow. I can only imagine. Funny thing is how critical thinking is always talked about in school/highschool (translating from my Swe versions) as "you'll learn that later". Sure, it takes a while to learn, but it's essential to learning ANYTHING, as far as I'm concerned. teaching it early would prepare students for university in a more adequate way (than just agreeing in many words to the what the latest assigned book said).

[Dog Town]

He does not make them read his essay, in the book. The class is required to read three others in it! Not a huge issue, but it is. He's gotta be loving this.