Northwestern University To Investigate Sexuality course's "Live Sex Show"

[DrPhil]

LOL @ fucksaw

@ knight_shadow
The optional and after-class part don't matter either. What faculty do within the context of their role as faculty will always be placed under scrutiny by the institution. It's the institution's interests that must be protected. All you need is one angry student, parent, and/or community member for something to reflect poorly on an institution.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

@ knight_shadow
The optional and after-class part don't matter either. What faculty do within the context of their role as faculty will always be placed under scrutiny by the institution. It's the institution's interests that must be protected. All you need is one angry student, parent, and/or community member for something to reflect poorly on an institution.

True, but (@ the bold) that happens even with "tame" topics. But this is why I'm still on the fence about this.

This kind of reminds me of a situation that happened at Tarleton State University. The drama department wanted to put on a production depicting Jesus as a homosexual. After receiving threats, the school shut down the production. The event wasn't required by any class and was being held in the evening. My line of thinking is "if you don't want to see it, don't go." I suppose that could be applied to the fucksaw situation, but again, I don't know if it was necessary for the professor to go that far to make his point.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

True, but (@ the bold) that happens even with "tame" topics. But this is why I'm still on the fence about this.

Yes, so that's why faculty have to be careful and smart. People will complain over anything so don't give them something to really complain about. This faculty member was stupid for putting his reputation on the line just to teach collegiates about a "fucksaw."

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

This kind of reminds me of a situation that happened at Tarleton State University. The drama department wanted to put on a production depicting Jesus as a homosexual. After receiving threats, the school shut down the production. The event wasn't required by any class and was being held in the evening. My line of thinking is "if you don't want to see it, don't go." I suppose that could be applied to the fucksaw situation, but again, I don't know if it was necessary for the professor to go that far to make his point.

LOL. There are some colleges and universities that would not oppose to such a play and that's based on how supportive the students, alum, and surrounding community would be.

However, if it is sponsored by the drama department then it is part of the university. Even hosting such a play off campus would reflect on the university if it is known that it is Tarleton State University's department that supports the play. A great deal of autonomy is lost when we work for others. We can get away with some things but should not be surprised that we can't get away with everything.

[knight_shadow]

Thanks to Barbie's Rush, I googled the term. Sadly, I was already familiar with that tool.

Originally Posted by DrPhil

However, if it is sponsored by the drama department then it is part of the university. Even hosting such a play off campus would reflect on the university if it is known that it is Tarleton State University's department that supports the play. A great deal of autonomy is lost when we work for others. We can get away with some things but should not be surprised that we can't get away with everything.

Sidebar, but I think that takes away from the college experience. A lot of the useful knowledge is obtained outside of the classroom. Being able to see different perspectives before taking a stance on something is invaluable, and that's something that can be picked up with controversial plays/lectures/whatever. If (general) you want your children to adhere to your line of thinking and not have any outside influences, 1) don't send them to college and 2) good luck having them succeed in the real world.

/rant

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

I don't know...

On one hand, I find it hard to believe that a group of college students needed paid performers to help them understand what an orgasm is. On the other hand, it was an optional, after-class event.

<cynical snark>
I fully believe that a room full of college students needed help to understand what and how an actual female orgasm is achieved.
</cynical snark>

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

female orgasm

That picture was easier to find than, well,...

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Sadly, I was already familiar with that tool.

Of course you were. LOL. Sad for whom? Did you "FAIL at FUCKSAW?"

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Sidebar, but I think that takes away from the college experience. A lot of the useful knowledge is obtained outside of the classroom. Being able to see different perspectives before taking a stance on something is invaluable, and that's something that can be picked up with controversial plays/lectures/whatever. If (general) you want your children to adhere to your line of thinking and not have any outside influences, 1) don't send them to college and 2) good luck having them succeed in the real world.

/rant

It isn't a college's job to educate students on all of the incidentals of life. Smart faculty know that and let students research some things on their own, even if those things are related to something discussed in class. Melvoin-Berg should've known better. He could've even talked about the fucksaw without delving that far. Students are smart and resourceful when they feel like being smart and resourceful and they know how to research if they want a fucksaw fuck.

And, again, "outside of the classroom" doesn't include anything that happens on campus or off campus but involving faculty and staff. Faculty can't even go to Bahama Breeze and see a student without becoming "the professor who likes to eat wings and tequila shots at Bahama Breeze on the weekends."