Posted on 08/24/2015 9:07:42 AM PDT by cblue55
DURHAM - Some Class of 2019 students at Duke University opted out of reading the recommended summer book.\
Fun Home is a graphic novel that depicts the authors, Alison Bechdel, relationship with her father and issues with sexual identity.
According to the Duke Chronicle, some incoming freshmen decided not to read Fun Home because of the sexual images and themes conflicted with their personal and religious beliefs.
Some students also added that Duke University didnt consider people with more conservative beliefs.
The summer reading book committee said the book was controversial but wanted it to spark a discussion even if it was why they chose not to read it.
The book is recommended but optional to read.
Incest — the next “civil rights cause of our time”
“More Duke University tolerance,”
Like they “tolerated” the ball players so well....
“spark a discussion”
...that’s complete and utter bulls$$! They’ll never try and “spark a discussion” with anything written by Beck, Palin etc. If it’s perverted sh**, they’re all over it.
I’d make Moby Dick the “recommended summer reading” for incoming freshmen every year—and those who couldn’t pass a test on it, including the chapter on cetology, would get booted to a state school.
Good idea. You wouldn’t believe how many supposedly educated people have never heard of the Great White Whale.
Conversation: "Our parents were right. We have entered a den of unimaginable perversion." End of discussion.
The average reading level of college-assigned summer reading is the 7th grade:
Probably not coincidentally the same average reading level of college freshmen:
http://campusreform.org/?ID=6174
Yikes!
Sounds racist.
Typical liberal stunt: rub everyone’s snout in filth just to “start a conversation.”
That was way back when CA public schools were excellent. As a class, we read The Count of Monte Cristo. Remains one of my favorite books to this day.
Then what's the problem? If the book offends your religious views then you don't read it. If it offends your personal beliefs then you don't read it. Either way your beliefs are not compromised and your grade isn't affected.
At work, I applied that reference the myself in a self-deprecating way. A young coworker was offended, thinking I was referring to my package. Upon seeing the look on her face, I quickly referenced the Melville’s novel Moby Dick. She had no idea, didn’t ring a bell at all.
Yep, I remember topping out my scores at the 16th grade level when tested in the 5th and 6th grade.
We read real books then.
A graphic novel? For the uninitiated, that means comic book.
I used a “Classic Comics” for the basis of a fifth grade book report in 1971. I was informed that comic books were not “literature.”
Times have changed.
“graphic novel “ aka comic book
Duke University assigns comic books? That says volumes about their students and instructors.
My 11 year old and I are doing Shakespeare and have been since she was 8. Yes, she can read a comic book for entertainment. She read one for her home schooling about Smedley Butler.
http://www.amazon.com/Devil-Dog-Amazing-America-History/dp/1439109028
We stumbled across it in the library. I read it which sparked her interest. A little odd, but it led to other things.
Aaaah! You beat me!
.....so, it was read by no one.
I was in college, once, too. "Optional" means "Skip past this one".
Jeez, what 19 year old says, "Well, I could go do about anything fun that I wanted, or I could sit here and do this useless optional reading. Hmmm. What to do, What to do?"
Ever notice how when it is a liberal type book (gay/trans/socialist/communist/women’s lib/race) it must be read or permitted in order to “foster discussion”. BUT, all conservative books must be banned, cause we can’t have discussion about them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.