[Teaching_Composition] Re: Teaching_Composition digest, Vol 1 #1098 - 3 msgs

[Mr. Bill]

I don't know why all the fuss over McConnell.  It's definitely not the first 
time, nor will be the last, when a graduate student in forced out of a 
program because of "politics."  Graduate school is not all about academics 
(unfortunately).

Bill

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Thelin,William" <wthelin@uakron.edu>
To: <teaching_composition@mailman.eppg.com>
Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 9:51 AM
Subject: RE: [Teaching_Composition] Re: Teaching_Composition digest, Vol 1 
#1098 - 3 msgs


> My thanks for yours, Doug's and Elizabeth's comments.  I'm afraid I
> don't agree with the sentiments expressed in them, however, as an
> important distinction has not been made.  Why is this case proof of
> ideological party lines, as Doug worded it?  How is it "thought control"
> when a program whose stated purpose is to certify teachers to teach in
> New York decides that a person is unsuitable for such a position?  How
> has the program been dogmatic in reaching a decision about McConnell's
> beliefs?
>
> I think there's a difference between challenging the dominant beliefs in
> any field through logic, fact, and research, and reacting against those
> beliefs merely because they contradict personal values.  We don't know
> enough about what McConnell actually wrote or did to come to any
> certainties about his scholarship.  From the little I was able to read,
> however--bits and pieces quoted on conservative websites--he seemed
> wedded to a conservative ideology.  What we do know is that the college
> was so concerned about this student that it took a pretty extraordinary
> step in removing him from the program.  I just cannot believe that a
> graduate director would choose this course of action if a student had
> actually presented well-supported arguments in favor of corporal
> punishment and against multiculturalism.  Remember that several
> professors reviewed his portfolio before the program reached its
> decision.
>
> Remember also that McConnell stated that his views comprised his
> teaching philosophy.  I don't know about others, but don't we usually
> try to enact our teaching philosophies?  There are constraints placed on
> K-12 instructors (on college professors as well), but it would be
> strange for a person to teach in a way that violated his or her teaching
> philosophy.  Further, note again that in the document about his teaching
> philosophy, McConnell stated not that a classroom "should" teach
> American culture rather than multiculturalism, but that he "would" do
> this.
>
> The question of rights is an interesting one.  What responsibilities did
> Le Moyne have to this student?  What responsibilities does it have to
> society?  In this case, McConnell specifically distinguished between
> American/state culture and multiculturalism.  I don't think it would be
> fair to K-12 students of color to have this man teaching them.  Don't
> they have a right to be included in American culture? Further, to draw a
> parallel, if a medical student denounces advances in surgery and says
> that his philosophy of medicine is based on pre-1960's practices, would
> we want this person to be given a license to practice medicine?  Would
> we not question the medical school that certified this person?  Some
> people simply are not suited for the goals they make for themselves.
> There is no innate right to any given career.  For someone to be granted
> a position of responsibility, he or she needs to account for the best
> information available in his or her field.  He or she does not
> necessarily have to abide by that information, but when going against
> that information, he or she should have reasons that are logical and
> factual.
>
> Free speech, as guaranteed in the Constitution, gives people the right
> to say just about whatever they please, and I certainly am not
> suggesting that De Moyne or any institution should take this right away.
> But individuals do not have the right to have their beliefs granted
> credence by institutions, especially when those beliefs, if acted upon,
> could do physical and psychological harm to children.
>
> Bill
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: teaching_composition-admin@mailman.eppg.com
> [mailto:teaching_composition-admin@mailman.eppg.com] On Behalf Of
> Charles Nelson
> Sent: Friday, September 15, 2006 9:17 AM
> To: teaching_composition@mailman.eppg.com
> Subject: [Teaching_Composition] Re: Teaching_Composition digest, Vol 1
> #1098 - 3 msgs
>
> I wasn't aware of all the details of the McConnell, so, Bill, your
> additions are quite helpful in looking at it more closely. Sometimes,
> one or two details can make a difference. If anyone has links or
> sources to give us a more complete picture, that would be useful.
>
> I'm not really sure how to begin. I want to stick to substance, but
> I'm distracted by what I see as misdirections and unwarranted
> assumptions. For instance,
>
>> McConnell's GPA was 3.78, which is hardly outstanding for a
>> graduate student, so several professors obviously had reservations
>> about his work.
>
> As long as McConnell's GPA meets the college's standards for being in
> the program, whether or not he was outstanding is not at issue here.
> What is at issue is whether his rights as a student were violated. In
> addition, was the GPA due to grading bias on account of his beliefs
> or due to his ability? Without extra information, assuming that
> professors had reservations is a circular argument.
>
> From the information provided, this case did not deal with his
> ability in class. Rather, it was because of his beliefs:
>
>> He was dismissed from the program by the program's director, not
>> the professor, because she had "grave concerns regarding the
>> mismatch between [his] personal beliefs regarding teaching and
>> learning and the Le Moyne College program goals."
>
> You questioned whether McConnell's beliefs would let him comply with
> NY state law. We cannot predict what McConnell will do. When I was
> younger, much younger and considerably "reactive," I used to not only
> argue but also to believe in all sorts of outlandish positions. But I
> never acted on them. Even now, my economic beliefs are at odds with
> federal income tax laws, and I also disagree strongly with the
> Supreme Court on some decisions regarding religion. However, I pay my
> taxes and abide by the law.
>
> The substance of this case again seems to be that because of his
> beliefs Le Moyne College removed him from its program. Obviously,
> this program has limits to the diversity of beliefs it allows.
> Actually, we all have limits. However, to take a position that in
> general a person should not be graduated or hired because their
> "beliefs would not be compatible with New York state law" is to
> support thought control. Rather ironic for an institution of "higher
> learning," isn't it?
>
> Charles Nelson
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