At 2:56 PM -0400 7/25/06, Robert Wildblood wrote:
On 25 Jul 2006, at 13:34, Paul Brandon wrote:
One usually adds the qualification "within one's field of competence".
When a physicist talks about politics that is not covered by
academic freedom.
That's an interesting point; however, I largely disagree with
it. As a psychologist, I believe that any psychological issue
This is the crux of the matter.
I still think that it is incumbent on you to make the case that there
is a direct link between statements on these issues and the subject
matter that you are teaching.
I get into this when I am teaching Behavior Analysis (particularly my
graduate seminar) and get into topics like cultural practices.
I am very careful about what I say, and make sure that I could
support its link to behavior analytic principles.
that comes up that is influenced by or influences my field of
psychology is about politics and that is what I talk about. This
has been particularly relevant to me over the last 5.5 years
(although I can't figure out for the life of me why it has been much
more important for that length of time) since I teach Abnormal and
Lifespan Developmental and there have been numerous political
(administration) decisions that are directly relevant. In any of
the scientific areas, there are lots of political decisions being
made - most recently the veto of the Stem Cell bill - that become
directly relevant to my teaching.
This is the point; I think that basically we're in agreement.
If I were persecuted, or lost my job over something like that, I
would fight it to the Supreme Court and take my chances with that
increasingly right leaning group. I teach what I teach, and I make
statements that are fact based about the effect of political
decisions - such as an "off budget" cost of nearly $1 trillion for
a war which may not have been necessary to fight, while at the same
time cutting social programs such as Medicaid, Veterans
Administration (isn't that strange, we create a war and cut funds to
serve those who fight the war). But don't get me started. The most
important date in the history of this country (assuming we get
there) is 01/20/09, the last day of the present administration.
I agree, but I wouldn't say it in a class.
--
The best argument against Intelligent Design is that fact that
people believe in it.
* PAUL K. BRANDON [EMAIL PROTECTED] *
* Psychology Dept Minnesota State University *
* 23 Armstrong Hall, Mankato, MN 56001 ph 507-389-6217 *
* http://krypton.mnsu.edu/~pkbrando/ *
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