University of Chicago Tells Incoming Students: Don't Expect Safe Spaces or Trigger Warnings

[Orrex]

113. A Clockwork Orange

Frankly, I doubt that a someone who voluntarily takes a course in modern American film would be so ignorant of modern American film that they'd be blindsided by the sudden appearance of Alex and his Droogs. As for "common courtesy," I'm all for it. Trust the instructor to issue such warnings as they deem appropriate. Instead, you're asking the course in modern American film to adopt the standards of the MPAA. Further, to forcibly require such "common courtesy" is the epitome of micromanagement.

Should a course in Mark Twain issue a warning that "the N word" is used? Should a study of Elie Wiesel's Night include a disclaimer that the horrors of genocide are discussed? Should a film studies course warn students before The Death Star blows up Alderaan?

I'm not being flippant here: I'm asking a legitimate question about where the boundaries are to be drawn.

I simply don't understand what the problem with this is.

I believe that you don't, and that's the problem. If the instructor chooses to give that warning, then that's fine. I'm supremely confident that the policy of the University of Chicago allows this; the school simply refuses to require it. I simply don't understand why that's a problem.

Incidentally, I recall the story about the fuckhead frat assholes outside the dorm, and it is ghastly indeed. However, that's very different from similar assholes yelling at a counseling center.

the tone of the policy cited (and the tone of some of these responses) makes me wonder if libertarian dickishness is making inroads into our college campuses, as well as our political discourse.

On the contrary, it's a commendable move toward trusting the teachers to run their classes responsibly.