Summary of Episode 223: Teaching Conservatism on a Liberal College Campus

So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast
Host: Nico Perino
Guest: Professor Eitan Hirsch, Political Science Professor at Tufts University
Release Date: August 29, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 223 of So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast, host Nico Perino engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Professor Eitan Hirsch of Tufts University. The discussion centers on the challenges and dynamics of teaching conservatism in predominantly liberal academic environments. Drawing insights from a Boston Magazine article titled "A Conservative Thought Experiment on a Liberal College Campus," the episode delves into issues of viewpoint diversity, academic freedom, and the evolving political landscape on college campuses.

Building a Course on American Conservatism

Professor Hirsch explains his motivation for creating a unique course on American conservatism at Tufts University. Noticing a lack of exposure to conservative viewpoints among his students, he sought to bridge this gap by designing a curriculum that explores contemporary public policy topics through a conservative lens.

Eitan Hirsch [06:34]: "I realized on many areas of public policy, students were just like majoring in political science and not really thinking about a full range of viewpoints."

His course covers a variety of subjects, including family policy, religion, welfare politics, capitalism regulation, guns and criminal justice, and affirmative action. By introducing these topics from conservative perspectives, Hirsch aims to foster a more balanced and comprehensive understanding among his students.

Navigating a Predominantly Liberal Campus

The conversation highlights the stark contrast in political ideologies between faculty and students at New England colleges. A 2016 study cited by the Boston Magazine article revealed that liberal professors outnumber conservative ones by a ratio of 28 to 1, a disparity that has likely widened over the years.

Eitan Hirsch [02:08]: "I don't know how to describe myself. I mean, I guess that sounds about right."

Despite these challenges, Hirsch reflects on his experience as a right-leaning centrist in a largely liberal academic setting. He notes that his political stance is nuanced, often aligning with students on certain issues while diverging on others.

Addressing Contention in the Classroom

Professor Hirsch discusses strategies for managing controversial topics in his classroom. He emphasizes the importance of introducing complex issues, such as the Citizens United case, to demonstrate the multifaceted nature of public policy debates.

Eitan Hirsch [00:40]: "Freedom of faith, fundamental rights, freedom of conscience, academic freedom, freedom of press, and the right to listen."

To foster a respectful and open dialogue, Hirsch incorporates trigger warnings and sets clear expectations for discourse. He introduces sensitive topics like circumcision to illustrate the personal stakes involved in political debates and to encourage students to engage thoughtfully.

Eitan Hirsch [10:29]: "Introduce that topic just to say like that's what every issue is basically like welcome to the club."

Institutional Neutrality and Campus Culture

A significant portion of the discussion focuses on the concept of institutional neutrality in universities. Hirsch advocates for schools to offer diverse "brands," allowing institutions to align with specific values while maintaining a respectful environment for all viewpoints.

Eitan Hirsch [20:08]: "Universities should and can have a diversity of brands and that some of them that want to be like First Amendment style, free speech, private schools can have that brand."

He critiques the current DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) frameworks for sometimes excluding ideological diversity, particularly in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Hirsch underscores the necessity for universities to balance moral commitments with empirical discussions to accommodate all perspectives.

Challenges Post-October 7th

The conversation shifts to recent events at Tufts University following October 7th, where tensions around the Israel-Palestine conflict became highly charged. Professor Hirsch expresses concern over the lack of support for conservative or pro-Israel student groups and the celebration of Hamas by certain student organizations.

Eitan Hirsch [25:47]: "If you're celebrating Hamas on October 8th and saying they're like these are, these are creative strategies, I think it's the equivalent to someone who's like a pro KKK person."

He advocates for stricter enforcement of campus norms to prevent the disruption of events and promote respectful discourse, suggesting that universities possess the means to address such cultural issues effectively.

The Role of Faculty and Academic Freedom

Addressing the fears of faculty regarding academic freedom, Hirsch highlights the challenges professors face in expressing diverse viewpoints without risking their reputations or job security. He shares personal experiences of encountering institutional pressures and the impact of public shaming on academic practices.

Eitan Hirsch [41:30]: "Faculty were calling each other out on like, Twitter if they didn't have the right number of female authors or minority authors on their syllabi."

Hirsch emphasizes the importance of support systems like FIRE’s Faculty Legal Defense Fund, which offers legal assistance to faculty members navigating disciplinary processes.

Looking Forward: Cultivating Civic Leaders

Towards the end of the episode, Hirsch discusses his initiatives to expand spaces for ideological diversity on campuses. He is in the early stages of developing programs aimed at diversifying curricula and speaker series, intending to cultivate civic leaders adept at navigating debates and disagreements.

Eitan Hirsch [42:34]: "I am at the beginning stages of trying to build something a little bit bigger in terms of creating space on our campus, but also as a model for other campuses to diversify curricula, to diversify speaker series to help students develop into civic leaders who are accustomed to debate and disagreement."

Conclusion

Episode 223 of So to Speak provides an insightful exploration of the complexities involved in fostering conservative thought within liberal academic institutions. Professor Eitan Hirsch's experiences and perspectives shed light on the broader challenges of achieving viewpoint diversity and maintaining academic freedom in today's polarized educational landscape. The episode underscores the critical need for balanced discourse and institutional support to navigate contentious issues effectively.

For more information, listen to the full episode on Fire.org or subscribe to So to Speak on your preferred podcast platform.