Last Friday, a crowd of eager students descended upon the Rotunda once again, this time in an effort to spar with their professors. Think Again, an organization dedicated to critical thinking and freedom of expression, organized this event in an effort to facilitate difficult conversations that many shy away from during normal lecture hours.
Dubbed ‘Disagree with a Professor,’ the occasion saw academic professionals from various fields—Commercial Law instructor, Sherri Moore; Political scientists Allan Stam and David LeBlang; Sociologist Brad Wilcox and Academy Award-winning filmmaker turned Drama professor, Paul Wagner. Armed with a boxed lunch and unique perspectives, students were able to challenge their teacher’s beliefs about politics, pop culture and everything in between. Conversation topics ranged from the role firearms should or should not have in modern society to whether Ryan Gosling is truly the greatest actor of his generation.
Many found the exercise to be an insightful experience. Erik Ozkaptan, a student who attended last Friday, believed it provided “an exciting opportunity to discuss topics not usually seen in polite classroom discussion.”
‘Disagree with a Professor’ is the second installment of the monthly program, ‘Free Speech Fridays,’ intended by Think Again to foster conversation and connection. February brought the mostly student centered ‘Food for Thought’ and a debate, in collaboration with Braver Angels, is in progress for the month of April.
“I found myself challenged,” remarked Paul Wagner about his interactions, “and in the long run I think that is a good thing.”
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