Debate rages on Greenthink and Mr. Mustard over a possible Right-wing equivalent to Mr. Shingavi's 'Conservatives need not apply' class. The syllabus of Professor Gregor contains the contentious lines

If you are a Marxist enthusiast and believe that all the evil in the world is the product of a :vast right-wing conspiracy" - do not take this course. While I am fully prepared to debate your opinions during office hours, acrimonious debate is not permitted during class time. Moreover, I do not want to create intrapsychic tensions among those who are irretrievably leftist.

and

If you are among those who cannot tolerate alternative opinion, who feel that any departure from the prevailing folk-wisdom of Ethnic Studies or left-wing posturing is objectionable - do not take this course.

Certainly a take no prisoners approach. But is it morally equivalent to the 'Conservative thinkers' line? I don't know! He certainly harbors a grudge against the left-wing, not something I would call conducive to enlightened and reasoned discourse. And the idea that left-wing thinkers are either: unable to change their opinions, prone to emotional class disruption, or learn something from a class that challenges their views, is paternalistic. (Certainly some do all of the above, but not every Marxist.) The 'Do Not Take This Course' because of your ideology is inflammatory.

On the other hand, he qualifies the above by stating that his goal is to avoid classroom disruption, which most Professors do quietly anyway. It makes clear that it is acceptable to not adopt his viewpoint, only that you must think critically about it. Mr. Mustard states the distinction thusly:

Snehal's stance was thus: "This is the ideological stance of the class. You should be in agreement with that ideology to take the class."

Whereas Gregor's position is: "You should be able to handle and mentally scrutinize ideas with which you do not ideologically agree in order to take this class."

And as for the debating-in-office-hours matter, that is a purely pragmatic decision in this case. This is a lecture class with over 350 students enrolled. It's not exactly the ideal setting for a roundtable discussion.

But is he also stating 'Leftists can't handle these ideas.'? Good question!Email This Post!