On Fri, 18 Aug 2000 [log in to unmask] wrote:

> i think what i'm suggesting is that some notion of acceptable [or
> reasonable or humane] public discourse operates as an implicit,
> and usually un-noticed, norm for most of us . . . it's only when
> discourse well within that norm is condemned that we raise the
> flag of academic freedom . . . but, unfortunately, reasonable and
> thoughtful people may well define that norm in different ways . . .

Agreed.  The hardest class for me to teach is Scriptural Backgrounds.
It takes the most diplomacy and openness.  Finding the "norm" for
my approach to the Gospels, for instance, has been very hard.

Sarah



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Sarah L. Higley                            [log in to unmask]
Associate Professor of English                office:  (716) 275-9261
The University of Rochester                   fax:     (716) 442-5769
Rochester NY, 14627
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Py dydwc glein / O erddygnawt vein?
"What brings a gem from a hard stone?"               Book of Taliesin
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Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite
http://www.tcf.ua.edu/ScreenSite