Amidst the gloom and doom of the 9/11 conspiracy theorists like Ward Churchill and UNH’s very own "nutty professor", comes URI’s Professor Alain-Phillip Durand. Seems he wants his students to not forget the events and ramifications of September 11th and put some real thought into that tragic day. As reported by Jessica Medeiros in that school’s student newspaper, "The Good 5cent Cigar", there will be a new class offered at the University.
11/28/06 – Are we in danger of forgetting about 9/11? Professor Alain-Phillip Durand is concerned that may be a possibility..In an effort to prevent this, Durand has developed an honors class that will analyze fiction and non-fiction books and films that address the events of Sept. 11..Durand said 9/11 is too often ignored in the classroom, and it is important to address so that students are informed and knowledgeable about the issue.."I hope that after taking my class students will have a better understanding of the perspectives surrounding this event and also be able to confront the issues dealing with this event and memories of it," he said..According to Durand, one of the best ways to achieve this is to expose students to literature and films relating to 9/11.
Of course, the devil is in the details. What works of "fiction" will be included? Is this simply cover for more of the aforementioned 9/11 tales about George W. Bush and the Israelis orchestrating the attack? While this question is not answered directly in the article, the editorial page of The Good 5Cent Cigar puts it like this…
11/28/06 – The events of Sept. 11, 2001 have made a huge impact on all of us and deserve a course focusing specifically on their effects, impact and details. A course on the day would help everyone remember the major changes this country has made since terrorists crashed planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in Pennsylvania.From the event came new security checks at America’s airports, a stepped up police presence around monuments, a new Department of Homeland Security and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq that have spilt the nation.
Although some believe we should leave behind the memory of pain that many Americans have for the events, it is important to never forget the day that changed the course of American history forever. As horrible as the day was, we should not pretend it never occurred. As Pearl Harbor started the World War II era and Vietnam dominated the 1960s and 1970s, 9/11 defines the current generation.
They also say
Courses on 9/11 have proven to be a way to draw students, often apathetic to the world around them, into a debate. Sometimes, the debate even sets off firestorms, such as one that happened at the University of Wisconsin-Madison when a professor said in class that the U.S. government had a hand in the attacks. While his theory drew calls from students, faculty and lawmakers to resign, it did have the side effect of forcing students to learn something about what happened that day.
.
In a similar manner, we hope the new URI 9/11 class will inspire students to understand why commercial airliners were used as weapons against a nation. We’re well aware the URI class will focus more on literature than politics, but film and books are a fine place to start. It’s about time URI students can take a course on 9/11.
I cannot disagree at all with this sentiment. Discussing the wacko theories of the random nutjobs is OK with me- as long as that is how they are portrayed. Why DO some people allow themselves to fall victim to such nonsense? If the class comes off as billed, this will be a great service to the young adults in their studies as they live, like it or not, in the post September 11th world.
.
This is a story to watch… We can only hope it’s the real deal.
Find Doug
Add Doug
Email Doug
Leave a Comment