It could be interesting watching what happens with this one. Honestly though, I’m not sure I see much good in it, but time will tell I suppose. I’m guessing it will match places like Hillsdale:
Not the worst idea ever. As an employer it helps me identify with certainty people who are not right for my organization.
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I wonder if they are going to have any bar at all. Will they let a professor teach that the Holocaust never happened or similar way off the walls things?
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I’ve been reading about all the impressive College Presidents and other academics who are lending their support to this endeavor. I’d like someone to ask if they would encourage their children and grandchildren to attend the fledgling University of Austin rather than, say, Harvard, Columbia, MIT, etc. (the places where so many of them went).
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Well this is U of Austin, not UT Austin.
I don’t think this is a Hillsdale clone. They have some legitimate people on the board of advisors. Names like Zimmer, Pinker, Loury and Summers.
Here’s the NYT take on it (possibly behind a firewall - I subscribe, so can’t tell when things are or aren’t).
I still can’t ascertain exactly what they think will make this new college different (other than cost perhaps?) or if they will set any bar about what professors can/can’t promote in their classes.
To me, having people from whatever colleges supporting it is meaningless. There are intelligent people from all colleges - less intelligent ones too. I don’t know any of them personally.
Man, is that a predictable list or what? They’re only missing a couple of the usual suspects like Bret Weinstein.
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I agree it will be interesting; curious if they’ll attract any professors from well known schools/departments. The roll out will take time and starting with graduate degrees will provide a good runway into undergrad where the issues this school is attempting to address are much more pervasive.
The university, to be known as the University of Austin, or UATX for short, will have a soft start next summer with “Forbidden Courses"
So then they will be teaching Critical Race Theory?
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That’s taught everywhere, so a good chance they’ll include it.
I am surprised that Bill Maher isn’t on the list. Both Pinker and Loury were recent guests on his show.
Not quite everywhere . . .
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Is Hillsdale not legitimate?
Is this a thing? What would prompt this thought?
Google it if you like. There are people who say such things. Should they be able to talk or teach at colleges? After all… 100% free speech and sharing of ideas would include theirs, right?
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Is Flat Earth going to be included too - or where does the line get drawn?
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The university and the professor referenced in the first article doesn’t teach his viewpoint on the Holocaust.
There’s also a reference to a Northwestern professor:
Northwestern University periodically faces debate over Arthur R. Butz, an associate professor of electrical engineering who is a Holocaust denier, but who has avoided the topic in his classes.
This is an issue that’s creating more division in the country: private views and opinions are often deemed disqualifying in the person’s professional sphere. People have the right to hild their own opinions, thoughts and perspectives.
I think you’ve missed the point.
Why don’t universities and professors teach Holocaust denial? Maybe it’s because people who want to teach it have either been censored by others or themselves? Apparently, the new University of Austin wants to do away with self-censorship and allow people to discuss these “forbidden” topics. That seems to be a cornerstone of this new University.
"The school plans to start next summer with a non-credit program called Forbidden Courses. It will be open to students from other universities to participate in discussions about topics that “often lead to censorship or self-censorship in many universities.” "
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No I didn’t miss the point. And nowhere in that article does it say they’ll be discussing Holocaust denial. Funny how the concept of free speech is raised and the immediate go-to is flat earthers and Holocaust deniers. There are plenty of topics that can’t be discussed on college campuses these days due to intolerance of differing points of view.
I’d suggest this opinion piece sets out what this university is attempting to counter.
And there clearly are Holocaust deniers currently teaching at universities, at least one of which is quite elite and well known.
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