To the editor:
Shaun Hittle’s article on student athlete “clustering” in select majors is an example of irresponsible assertion and thinly veiled racism masquerading as “in-depth” reporting. Hittle observes that a disproportionate number of players in the Kansas University men’s program have majored in African/African American studies, communications and American studies. The article suggests that this demonstrates faculty’s lowered academic standards for black student athletes.
How is “clustering” proof of such misconduct? Hittle provides no evidence and apparently failed to interview faculty from these departments. Are African-American athletes the only students who select courses and majors based on word of mouth, the guidance of counselors and faculty mentors, positive learning experiences in the classroom, and personal affinities? Are they so different from other students who “cluster” around education, business or other popular undergraduate majors? The issue is whether student athletes receive a quality education, not how many of them share a major.
Hittle makes the leap that majoring in these fields presents “little future opportunity” for those who don’t turn professional. Again, what is the basis of this claim? As with all liberal arts fields, African/African American studies, communications, and American studies endeavor to teach critical thinking, research and writing; explore the human condition in all of its complexity; and foster engaged citizenship. They contribute a solid foundation for numerous careers, not to mention more thoughtful and informed journalism.
Comments
labmonkey 10 months, 4 weeks ago
"They contribute a solid foundation for numerous careers..."
Name some.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Fields that would require critical thinking. You should give that a try some time.
labmonkey 10 months, 4 weeks ago
So insult the messenger since you have no good response to the message... par for the course for you.
Jayhawk1958 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Any require the skills and knowledge they learned in college. Did you go to college?
labmonkey 10 months, 4 weeks ago
I have a B.S. in a science field and did some graduate work. Unfortunately I did not finish my Masters, but my job now pays much more than the job I would have received with the Masters. I would have loved to get a history degree (and may still pursue one at some point), but I knew that would never get me a job that would pay me enough to raise a family.
labmonkey 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Hmmm... two posts insulting me, but still not answering my question. What career outside of academia will these majors get you?
Did_I_say_that 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Hittle's article doesn't conclude that African-American players are lesser quality students due to course selection. In fact, one of his interviewees only notes that black students may choose African-American studies because they are black and the subject interests them.
It seems that the LTE writers may harbor some preconceptions about African-American athletes; preconceptions that they project upon others.
cato_the_elder 10 months, 4 weeks ago
This isn't rocket science. All that's happened is that KU has quietly adopted soft curricula, perfected by most Big Ten schools decades ago, which are reasonably successful in offering athletes (and non-athletes too) a way to stay in college by avoiding taking the difficult courses.
The faculty members responding to Mr. Hittle's article do, methinks, protest too much.
mycatsrightorwrong 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Your comments are ridiculous... or should I say, your 'comments' are 'ridiculous'. Do you really believe there's someone, on this planet, that could be claimed to be a "government complex intellectual nuanced Liberal"? You sound like a crazy person. My guess is you look a little something like this: http://yourpopfilter.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Redneck-Sensitive.jpg
labmonkey 10 months, 4 weeks ago
In other words, the LTE writers acknowledge "you're f*g with my bread and butter."
bad_dog 10 months, 4 weeks ago
"So insult the messenger since you have no good response to the message... par for the course for you."
Where have I heard that before? Hmm...
Did_I_say_that 10 months, 4 weeks ago
"Where have I heard that before? Hmm..."
In the Letter to the Editor?
labmonkey 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Touche.
mom_of_three 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Has any one who commented taken a class from any one of the professors or faculty listed? I didn't think so. And one of you makes the claim that American students/AA studies courses are "soft." Go ahead, take a class and tell me that the curriculum is soft and the class is easy.
Jayhawk1958 10 months, 4 weeks ago
They can't tell you that because they didn't go to college!
classclown 10 months, 4 weeks ago
Looks like athletes aren't the only ones that cluster. The faculty does it too.
Did_I_say_that 10 months, 4 weeks ago
I see what you did there; and I 'liked' it.
Alceste 10 months, 3 weeks ago
Hmmmm......job security letter?
Tidwell raked a cool $92,096.16 in 2011 ( http://www.kansasopengov.org/StateGovt/PayListings/stateEmployeePayList/tabid/1553/Default.aspx )
Davis pulled in $92,238.69 for the same time period ( http://www.kansasopengov.org/StateGovt/PayListings/stateEmployeePayList/tabid/1553/Default.aspx )
Lang don't count as Lang is a "visiting professor".....whatever that is......
What departments are they in? Let's take a look see: Tidwell's in "English"; Davis is in Film and Media Studies; Lang's in African/African Amer Studies.
Gravy train jobs (if they can even be called jobs....) shrug
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