Academic Freedom At The University of Mississippi

Ha! It's not an oxymoron. We really do believe in providing University faculty the freedom to tread on difficult, touchy subjects. After all, if we can't discuss contentious subjects on a college campus, where can we?

Well, some Ole Miss students, and one in particular, are upset that the University allows the use of R-rated films in a Modern Language (Spanish) class. The student finds it offensive that a professor would seek to use film as a tool in teaching about culture and the underbelly of society.

Naturally, the commenters are having a field day with this, both pro and con.

Analysis
If anything the offended student should thank the prof for being so forthright in the syllabus and the first day of class in telling the students what was in store for them throughout the semester. Second, this student, I believe, has not quite grasped what a liberal arts education is all about. If all you want is a recitation from church, go to a private, religious college. Third, one of the great purposes of higher education is to challenge students and their conventional way of thinking. I fear that we have too many students that cannot tolerate the "different." That, my friends, does not bode well for our future.