Republicans attack academic freedom (again)

[Henry Vilas]

Teaching about Trump: Republican lawmaker criticizes UW-Madison professor's syllabus

A Republican Assembly leader is criticizing a UW-Madison political science professor’s course syllabus for what he sees as a “politically polarized characterization” of Donald Trump’s presidency.

Rep. Dave Murphy, R-Greenville, leveled the criticism Wednesday in a letter to UW-Madison professor Kenneth Mayer, who is teaching “The American Presidency” this semester. The first lecture took place Tuesday.

The syllabus’ first page includes a two-line paragraph saying Trump supporters “rejoice in his contempt for what they insist is a corrupt D.C. establishment.”

It then includes an 11-line paragraph that begins: “To others, he is a spectacularly unqualified and catastrophically unfit egomaniac who poses an overt threat to the Republic.”

What is Murphy afraid of, a professor accurately expressing pro and con Trump sentiments?

[kissyfish]

That doesn't seem an unreasonable balance.

It is pretty accurate.

[Paleo2]

My mother taught political science down south.
She was very proud that her students couldn’t tell whether she was a Democrat or a Republican.
One time after the class tried to figure it out, a student offered to carry her stuff to her car so he could look at her bumper stickers.

[Donald]

Republicans have tried to pretend that supporting fringe hate groups amounts to supporting free speech and academic freedom on campuses. Really, this Murphy wack-oh won't be happy until David Duke is teaching a course called "Race Relations In Slavery: What We Can Learn From Our Ancestors."

[david cohen]

Imagine the GOP outrage if a Dem legislator questioned the accuracy of the teachings of the (name your) Church or Synagogue...after all, religious institutions are supported by taxpayers via their religious tax exemptions;) Anyways, this politician is all bark and no bite, just looking for media attention.

[gargantua]

Anyways, this politician is all bark and no bite, just looking for media attention.

Yes, clearly learned from Steve Nass, who has made a career out of this sort of thing.

[david cohen]

Anyways, this politician is all bark and no bite, just looking for media attention.

Yes, clearly learned from Steve Nass, who has made a career out of this sort of thing.

Is there a bigger ass than Steve Nass? Ok, perhaps Andre Jacque is and HAS a bigger ass.