Skip to Main Content

Writing 312 - Argumentation

Case Study #1: Hamline University Art History Professor Fired

Required Readings

Reminder: You need to create your New York Times subscription account before you access NYT articles.

Gruber. "An Academic Is Fired Over a Medieval Painting of the Prophet Muhammad"
--[Content Warning: This article includes a reproduction of the image in question, which is a painting of Muhammad. If you'd prefer not to see the image, read the image-free article attached below.]

Gruber. "An Academic Is Fired Over a Medieval Painting..."

Jaschik. “Academic Freedom vs. Rights of Muslim Students”
--[Content Warning: This article includes a reproduction of the image in question, which is a painting of Muhammad. If you'd prefer not to see the image, read the image-free article attached below.]

Jaschik. “Academic Freedom vs. Rights of Muslim Students”

Patel. “A Lecturer Showed a Painting of the Prophet Muhammad. She Lost Her Job”
--Note: Read this article first.
Patel. “After Lecturer Sues, Hamline University Walks Back Its ‘Islamophobic’ Comments”
--Note: Read this article second.

Optional Readings (Choose one of the following to read.)

Wood. “Who’s Afraid of a Portrait of Muhammad?”

Case Study #2: Judge Kyle Duncan Speaks at Stanford Law

Required Readings

Mystal. "Protesting an Anti-Trans Trump Judge Isn’t Disrespectful, It’s American"

Patel. "At Stanford Law School, the Dean Takes a Stand for Free Speech. Will It Work?"
--Note: Read this article first.
Judge Duncan Event at Stanford (Video)
Judge Duncan Event at Stanford. Directed by Ethics and Public Policy Center, 2023.

Optional Readings (Choose one of the following to read.)

Bernstein. "Stanford Law Dean Jennifer Martinez's Excellent Defense of Free Speech and Civility"
PDF version below

Bernstein. "Stanford Law Dean Jennifer Martinez's Excellent Defense of Free Speech and Civility"

Lubet. "Chaos and rudeness at Stanford"
Whelan. "Crybullies at Stanford Law School Threaten Free Speech"
PDF version below

Whelan. "Crybullies at Stanford Law School Threaten Free Speech"