University faces criticism for offering extra credit to students attending pro-Palestinian event.
University Faces Backlash for Offering Extra Credit to Attend Pro-Palestinian Protest
The University of California, Berkeley, is facing criticism after a teaching assistant sent an email to students, encouraging them to participate in a pro-Palestinian protest in exchange for extra credit. The email, sent by graduate student Victoria Huynh, was for a class titled “Asian American Communities and Race Relations.”
Huynh offered two options for earning extra credit. Students could either attend a national student walkout against the settler-colonial occupation of Gaza or watch a short documentary on Palestine and contact their local California representative.
This is a real e-mail distributed at an Asian studies class @UCBerkeley.
This is the same institution that welcomed in disgraced SF DA, Chesa Budin. pic.twitter.com/pAUmGvQslJ
— Ale Resnik (@AleResnik) October 25, 2023
Tensions have escalated in the Middle East and worldwide following the attack by Hamas terrorists on Israel, resulting in numerous casualties. Some individuals on the left have justified the attack and condemned Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza.
Huynh’s email sparked outrage on social media:
Extra credit for protesting anything is pathetic (shup up and read a book).
Extra credit for participating in a pro-Hamas protest is evil.— Matt Sarelson, Esq. – Attorney & Advisor (@MSarelson) October 25, 2023
Academic freedom absolutely does *not* entail professors giving students better grades for parroting their political point of view. https://t.co/d1BJJKJtcV
— Yascha Mounk (@Yascha_Mounk) October 25, 2023
Joel Griffith of The Heritage Foundation referred to it as “government-funded antisemitic indoctrination.”
Government-funded antisemitic indoctrination at @UCBerkeley. Extra class credit for walking out of class as an act of solidarity with Hamas’ terrorist aims of eradicating the world’s only Jewish state. https://t.co/XRf1IDIlif
— Joel Griffith (@joelgriffith) October 25, 2023
The Jewish Chronicle quoted one social media user as saying, “If you are a Jewish student reading this, do you feel safe on campus right now?”
After receiving backlash, UC Berkeley representative Dan Mogulof stated that Huynh’s offer of extra credit violated university policy. The assignment has since been changed, and students now have multiple options for earning extra credit, such as attending local events related to the course’s subject or watching documentaries about the Middle East.
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What are the implications of offering extra credit for engaging in political activities, such as protests, within a university setting?
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The University of California, Berkeley, is currently facing backlash after one of its teaching assistants sent an email to students, offering extra credit in exchange for participating in a pro-Palestinian protest. The email, sent by graduate student Victoria Huynh, was intended for a class titled “Asian American Communities and Race Relations.”
In the email, Huynh presented two options for earning extra credit. Students could either attend a national student walkout against the settler-colonial occupation of Gaza or watch a short documentary on Palestine and contact their local California representative.
The email drew immediate criticism on social media, with some individuals arguing that offering extra credit for participating in a protest is inappropriate and goes against the principles of academic freedom. Others condemned the email for seemingly endorsing a pro-Hamas standpoint and accused the university of government-funded antisemitic indoctrination.
Joel Griffith of The Heritage Foundation referred to the offering of extra credit as “government-funded antisemitic indoctrination,” further fueling the controversy surrounding the issue.
The Jewish Chronicle quoted a social media user who questioned the safety of Jewish students on campus in light of such a offer.
Recognizing the backlash, UC Berkeley representative Dan Mogulof stated that Huynh’s offer violated university policy. As a result, the assignment has been revised, and students now have multiple options for earning extra credit, such as attending local events related to the course’s subject or watching documentaries about the Middle East.
This incident highlights the need for universities to maintain a commitment to academic integrity and provide a balanced learning environment. While it is important to encourage student engagement and activism, it is equally important to ensure that students are exposed to diverse perspectives and are not coerced into participating in particular political activities.
Academic institutions play a significant role in shaping students’ understanding of complex issues and must strive to create an inclusive and intellectually stimulating environment. By revising the assignment and providing alternative options for earning extra credit, UC Berkeley has demonstrated its commitment to upholding these principles.
Moving forward, it is crucial for universities to establish clear guidelines regarding extra credit opportunities and ensure that these opportunities do not compromise the integrity of the educational experience. By doing so, universities can maintain their responsibility to promote critical thinking, free expression, and a well-rounded education.
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