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December 13, 2005
Controversial course to remain part of curriculum
Last year’s controversial course, Racial and Cultural Minorities, has caused problems again this year with some students.
The class was taught this year by Adjunct Professor Stephan Philion. Philion replaced Professor Martin Markowitz, who taught the course last year.
Philion said that two students in his class took issue with one of the books he chose, calling it “too white.” The students took their claims to the Sociology department head, Melissa Embser-Herbert and then to Dean Alzada Tipton.
Tipton stated via email, “I’m afraid that it’s not a situation I can comment on publicly, in deference to the privacy interests of the students and the faculty member. I can say that I have met with both students and faculty on this issue and have worked to resolve any problems.”
Embser-Herbert also declined to comment, echoing Tipton’s statement by saying that the issue has been solved and in the interest of privacy, the students could not be named.
Philion said in reference to the problem that he feels that students “have the right to dispute and argue, but they don’t have the right to disrupt class.”
Philion took issue with the way the administration dealt with the issue and the general political atmosphere at Hamline.
“The style of politics displayed by the administration keeps students from becoming radicalized on issues like war and race relations,” Philion said.
Embser-Herbert said that Racial and Cultural Minorities will still be on the course schedule for next fall.
“We’re keeping it on the schedule because it is an important course because of the world we live in, and we wouldn’t want to see it dropped [out] of the curriculum,” Embser-Herbert said.
Embser-Herbert said it was part of her role as department head to resolve situations of this nature but added that placing blame wasn’t appropriate in this type of situation.
“In these situations, I don’t think it is appropriate to lay blame on either party,” Embser-Herbert said.
Embser-Herbert added that the department anticipates looking for someone in the spring to continue teaching the course.
Posted by msveum at December 13, 2005 12:37 PM
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