Free speech and Critical Thinking on College Campuses
An interview with Dr. Ron Hassner, expert on religion and conflict talks about how to foster critical thinking skills in our children.
On October 12, 2023, after a violent incident on the Berkeley campus, an Israeli and a Palestinian professor who disagree vehemently came together to issue a call for respect and dignity on the Berkeley campus: Dr. Ron Hassner (Professor of Israel Studies) and Dr. Hatem Bazian (Lecturer of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures and Asian American and Asian Diaspora Studies). In this episode, Manisha interviews Dr. Hassner about the events leading to this statement, the role of free speech on college campuses, and how he defines respect and dignity in difficult conversations. In this illuminating conversation, Hassner offers a nuanced perspective on how educators can navigate difficult conversations in the classroom through listening, self-reflection, and respectful inquiry. He cautions against what he sees as a dangerous trend of professors and graduate students getting involved in student protests and political actions and a cultural pattern where students complain of being “triggered” and ask for material to be watered down in the classroom. He highlights how, in an intellectual environment, it is impossible for everyone to agree, but the possibility for civil discourse can persist amidst strong differences. Hassner also offers invaluable advice to parents who wish to foster critical thinking in their children and teens. Hassner and Bazian’s brave statement offers hope for dialogue and intellectual discourse in these polarized times, where so many are navigating trauma and confusion surrounding global conflict.
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About Dr. Ron Hassner
Dr. Ron Hassner, Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley, is a renowned scholar in religion and conflict. Holding the prestigious Chancellor's Chair and the Helen Diller Family Chair in Israel Studies, Hassner's academic journey is distinguished by a B.Sc. from the London School of Economics and advanced degrees from Columbia and Stanford Universities, culminating in a Ph.D. from Stanford. His expertise, especially in the contentious realms of sacred spaces and military religions, is honored by Berkeley's "Distinguished Teaching Award" and accolades from the International Studies Association and the American Political Science Association. As the faculty director of the Helen Diller Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies, Hassner continues to lead and innovate in the study of international disputes and ethical governance.
EPISODE NOTES
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Teach Your Kids: LinkedIn | Website | X | Instagram | Substack | Facebook | TikTok
Manisha: LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook
Dr. Ron Hassner: Website | Email | UC Berkeley Political Science
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“A Call for Community on Campus” Joint Statement by Professor Hassner and Professor Bazian
University of California, Berkeley on LinkedIn: A call for community on campus
Teach Your Kids Podcast Episodes
Dr. Gordon Neufeld on Redefining Parental Power & Connection
Talking to Kids about War: Listening, Speaking, and Constructive Action
Teach Your Kids Blog Posts
Books and Articles
Dr. Ron Hassner’s Books
Survey Unveiling Berkeley Undergraduates' Views on International Conflicts: Passion, ignorance, and teaching the Israeli-Palestinian conflict | Ron E. Hassner | The Blogs
Arabs and Israelis: Conflict and peacemaking in the Middle East - Abdel Monem Said Aly, Shai Feldman, Khalil Shikaki /
California College Campuses Convulsed in Protest During Israel-Hamas War - The New York Times
Organizations
The Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement Between People (the organization where Manisha volunteered in 2001)
Related Resources
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Thanks so much for sharing. We need more interviews such as this one to show how necessary modeling and providing opportunities for civil discourse is for this tragic situation and so many others.