Tuesday, October 7, 1997
Letters
Stick to the Subject
Kendra Fox Davis’s points are well taken, especially for courses
in which the subject matter has high "interpretive content."
However, the overarching academic principle should still be that
students must obtain and master the content of the advertised
curriculum before demanding to affect the process itself with their
own output.
If part of the advertised curriculum for a class involves the
formulation, expression and defense of student ideas in the lecture
hall, and that opportunity is not provided, then Kendra Fox-Davis
has a valid gripe. Otherwise, students should work for better
subject matter availability and delivery from the institution and
its instructors. This should be invited and welcomed for all
courses, but don’t take up class time for this type of
advocacy.
George Rebane
UCLA Alumnus ’63, ’68, ’90