Tuesday, January 3, 2012

University offers Occupy Wall Street course where students earn class credit by working 'in the field'


A leading university is offering an Occupy Wall Street course in which grad students and upperclassmen can earn a full course credit by getting involved in the movement's projects outside the classroom.
The course starts the next semester and will involve classes at Columbia's New York campus plus work in the field.
It will be taught by Zuccotti Park veteran Dr Hannah Appel, a leading Occupy supporter, the New York Post reports. 
New Year's Eve clash: Protesters hold up a barricade at Zuccotti Park in New York
New Year's Eve clash: Protesters hold up a barricade at Zuccotti Park in New York

The course will be called Occupy The Field: Global Finance, Inequality, Social Movement.
It will be run by the anthropology department.
The syllabus says up to 30 students will be expected to get involved in Occupy projects.

Occupy the classrooms: The new course at Columbia will begin next semester
Occupy the classrooms: The new course at Columbia will begin next semester
Unhappy New Year: Police made scores of arrests as midnight approached
Unhappy New Year: Police made scores of arrests as midnight approached
Zuccotti Park veteran: Course lecturer Dr Hannah Appel
Zuccotti Park veteran: Course lecturer Dr Hannah Appel

In her blog, Miss Appel defends the Occupy movement and says: 'It is important to push back against the rhetoric of "disorganization" or "a movement without a message" coming from left, right and center.'
She told the Post that her support will not hinder her ability to be an objective teacher.
Miss Appel said: 'Inevitably, my experience will color the way I teach, but I feel equipped to teach objectively.
'It’s best to be critical of the things we hold most sacred.'  
News of the course comes just two days after scores of occupiers were arrested shortly before midnight on New Years Eve in New York.
Police made the arrests after protesters began tearing down barricades surrounding Zuccotti Park.
Charges include reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and trespassing.

Viahttp://www.dailymail.co.uk

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