Communications Professor Allegedly Offered Extra Credit For Burning U.S. Flag, Constitution

Blogger News Network ^ | November 5, 2007

[theothercheek]

University of Maine sophomore Rebekah McDade, a journalism and political science double major, says she dropped a History of Mass Communications course on the first day when associate professor Paul Grosswiler “offered extra credit to class members if they burned the American flag or the U.S. Constitution or were arrested defending free speech,” reports the Bangor Daily News.

"I was offended. I come from a family of military men and women, and the flag and Constitution are really important symbols to me because of my family background," McDade tells the paper.

Responding to an E-mail from the paper requesting a comment, Grosswiler explained that a provocative example of free speech, such as flag burning, “demonstrate[s] the courage necessary to support free expression,” and added:

"I don’t intend for students to burn either the Constitution or the flag, and over the years hundreds of students have understood that. … If they don’t tolerate thought that they hate, they don’t believe in the First Amendment. I applaud the student’s exercise of free expression. If she had stayed in the class, I would have given her extra credit for publicizing her opinions."

The Stiletto is a free speech advocate, so this is all well and good. But to be honest, if Grosswiler really meant to inspire students to have the courage of his convictions, he should have encouraged them to draw cartoons of Mohammad.

A UM spokesperson exercised his free speech rights by describing Grosswiler as a "well-respected member of the faculty" and then suggesting that students should not have taken his comments “literally” and that “extra credit would not be granted for carrying out such activities.”

So, basically, the official UM position is that the “respected” professor is either a fool or a liar.

Note: The Stiletto writes about politics and other stuff at The Stiletto Blog.

[KarlInOhio]

Would this professor include "arrested defending free speech" someone who held an affirmative action bake sale and refused to shut it down when the university brownshirts stopped by.

No, I didn't think so.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

Grosswiler explained that a provocative example of free speech, such as flag burning, “demonstrate[s] the courage necessary to support free expression...”

That Thompson video comes to mind: "It's the soldier not the poet..."
Want to demonstrate the courage to support free expression? Join the service.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Their true feelings come out. They hate this country and want to destroy it.

[theBuckwheat]

If you got extra credit for advancing the liberal agenda, it should go without saying that anyone found resisting would face severe academic sanction.

[chimera]

Or the so-called “Rainbow Flag”. Some guys in my town got in trouble for doing just that. You guessed it, “hate speech” (not against rainbows).

[RonF]

She should get a flag that has been damaged beyond repair and hold a flag retirement ceremony in public. She should have the ceremony taped and then turn it in. It’s certainly an exercise of free speech, and my guess is that on this college campus she’ll get a sufficient number of spectators who will show their opposition to a respectful treatment of the American flag that the tape will prove that this act was provocative.

[RonF]

So, basically, the official UM position is that the “respected” professor is either a fool or a liar.

I see a problem with this comment. It seems to eliminate the possibility that the professor is both a fool and a liar.

[Bob Loblaw]

"Grosswiler explained that a provocative example of free speech, such as flag burning, “demonstrate[s] the courage necessary to support free expression,”"

Sure, Professor Grosswiler.

I'll believe in your dedication to "provocative examples of free speech" as soon as you give extra credit to anyone arrested while trying to distribute information and pictures at an abortion "clinic:.

[theothercheek]

Well, the spokesperson is a PR guy - you have to expect him to put as best a face on it as he can.

[theothercheek]

Gee, who could possibly hate a rainbow???

[theothercheek]

Since most people don’t know that this is how to properly retire a flag, they’ll think she’s exercising her free speech rights as defined by that professor. She would have gotten an “A” for sure ...

[theothercheek]

Great question! Bet not ...

[Neoliberalnot]

No problem if first the Prof is wrapped and bound tightly with said flag.

[Noumenon]

Offer to burn Das Kapital instead.

[Albion Wilde]

Professor Grosswiler has been awarded a Senior Scholar Fulbright to teach for a semester at Wuhan University School of Journalism in China. He recently spent a semester as Visiting Professor at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, where he offered a graduate course on Canadian scholar Marshall McLuhan's work. Professor Grosswiler has published a book revisiting McLuhan's media and social theories. He also has published a dozen journal articles and book chapters. Professor Grosswiler's research focuses on technology and culture, mass communication and social theory, cultural studies, postmodern media theories, international mass communication, and political mass communication. He has presented research papers at more than twenty national and international professional conferences, including the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, the International Communication Association, the Canadian Communication Association, and the Annual Conference of Cuban and North American Philosophers. He conducted research in Tanzania and traveled to Cuba before being selected for the Senior Scholar Fulbright in China. Before joining the faculty in 1991, Professor Grosswiler held positions at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Ithaca College, and Towson State University. He previously worked as a newspaper police reporter in Missouri and a features editor and media columnist in Maine. Professor Grosswiler teaches mass communication history, international mass communication, and media ethics. He is program coordinator for Journalism and Mass Communication.

[matthew fuller]

Git a rope! Hang a noose!

[Albion Wilde]

President’s Office
Building address: 200 Alumni Hall
President - Robert Kennedy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207-581-1512
robert.kennedy@umit.maine.edu
Senior Advisor to the President -
Evelyn Silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207-581-1512
esilver@maine.edu

Academic Affairs
Reports to: Office of the President
Building address: 201 Alumni Hall
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs &
Provost - Edna Mora Szymanski . . . . . . . . . . . 207-581-1547
ednas@umit.maine.edu
Associate Provost for Undergraduate
Education - Susan Hunter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207-581-1547
hunter@maine.edu

Faculty Senate President Robert Rice 207-581-2883
robert rice@umit.maine.edu

[Albion Wilde]

Bangor News article about this situation, with comments.

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

I would have brought an American flag... A REAL BIG ONE to class, Thrown it over him and wrapped him up in it. Then doused it with a gallon or 2 of gas and clicked my lighter... then asked how much extra credit I would get for not lighting it.

[Dumb_Ox]

offered extra credit to class members if they burned the American flag or the U.S. Constitution

I was wondering how long it would take for free speech poseurs to burn the Constitution. Its an especial irony to burn the very thing that guarantees the right to free speech. It fits in with the obnoxiously self-aware activism of the age, and echoes the respect for the Constitution shown by our government.

How many on this thread are reacting to the flagburning part, and not the Constitution part?