Stupidity 101
Ξ August 26th, 2009 | → | ∇ 90041, Oxy |
The Huffington Post features an article about Occidental College’s course, CTSJ (Critical Theory and Social Justice) 180, “Stupidity”. According to the 2008-2009 Occidental course catalog:
Stupidity is neither ignorance nor organicity, but rather, a corollary of knowing and an element of normalcy, the double of intelligence rather than its opposite. It is an artifact of our nature as finite beings and one of the most powerful determinants of human destiny. Stupidity is always the name of the Other, and it is the sign of the feminine. This course in Critical Psychology follows the work of Friedrich Nietzsche, Gilles Deleuze, and most recently, Avital Ronell, in a philosophical examination of those operations and technologies that we conduct in order to render ourselves uncomprehending. Stupidity, which has been evicted from the philosophical premises and dumbed down by psychometric psychology, has returned in the postmodern discourse against Nation, Self, and Truth and makes itself felt in political life ranging from the presidency to Beevis and Butthead. This course examines stupidity.
Oxy has a rich, recent history of making ripples with their course selection. A few years ago, the Young America Foundation listed two Oxy courses on it’s “Dirty Dozen: America’s Most Bizzare and Politically Correct Courses”: “The Phallus” (CTSJ 342) and “Blackness” (which, in a very loaded bit of irony has been supplanted by “Whiteness”, CTSJ 286). There are a few additional ironies in this course description that I’d like to touch on. First, as this asylum.com article correctly points out, the catalogue misspells Beavis (however the article mistakenly suggests an entire major in stupidity). Second, the description makes me feel like the correctly-spelled Butthead in that I don’t understand most of it after the 5th word. Finally, I’m assuming that by “the presidency” they’re not referring to quasi-alumnus Barack Obama. Well, at least I can still be proud that Oxy doesn’t offer a communications major.
14 Responses to ' Stupidity 101 '
on August 26th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
seriously, what the fuck? is this a class about sarah palin? i’m so confused!
on August 26th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Yeah. Seriously, what the fuck. Oxy is a pretty pathe–too harsh–”interesting” college.
The students that enjoy it are the worst… handfuls of students here and there are aware of the big joke that Oxy has managed to keep going for so long.
At least the Boulevard Sentinel recognizes the writing talent of the student body. That Taco “Krall” article was laughable in mechanics and culinary knowledge.
on August 26th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
I have to jump to the defense of my alma mater. While the description of this course seems silly, I don’t by any stretch of the imagination think it represents the entire institution. In fact, I’d argue that for an undergrad, there isn’t a better college in Los Angeles (SC and UCLA are too big and Cal Tech is in Pasadena). Still, not all the departments are as strong as the English and Philosophy programs…
on August 27th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Perhaps you should speak with your alma mater and try to get the students of Oxy to not act like they own HLP and Eagle Rock. Their sense of entitlement is disgusting, and they have no respect for their residential neighbors.
And, c’mon everybody, Obama transferred for a reason.
on August 27th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
This reminds me of Pitzer College over in Claremont, which often offers classes on topics such as The Simpsons. What better way to get the attention of the youth by offering them something weird and interesting so they’ll read some Nietzsche? What’s wrong with that?
on August 27th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
E - I’ll see what pull I have with the student body, but based on your posts, I’m guessing there are some specific stories you have that might be cathartic to get off your chest…Do you live by campus? Still, I don’t think entitlement is an Oxy-only issue. It’s just classic college student behaviour: narcissism posing as altruism.
on August 27th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
I do live by campus.
And yes, I realize that it is not an Oxy-exclusive issue.
Too many students fail to realize that they are in such close proximity to houses. If they do realize it, they don’t let that inform their behavior.
Classes have yet to start, but the disrespect is already beginning.
E.g., couple nights ago, young woman in the middle of the night, ~2am, screaming at the top of her lungs, waking up at LEAST a block, and causing the community to file a complaint with the 5-0. It sounded like a murder or something. But no, she was just real drunk and having fun or whatever. Maybe mad at her B/F OMGZ.
These kids need to act right if they want any respect. Just show respect to your neighbors that don’t like the idea of waking up to a drunk girl shrieking.
I doubt the Administration likes this sort of thing occurring. Not that it matters, as the institutional memory is utterly laughable because of the turnover.
Something like 5 school presidents in roughly the same number of years? Damn. No wonder the students act the way they do.
on August 27th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Wow E, that’s a lot of aggression towards a pretty neutral college.
When I bought a house in this neighborhood I was thrilled to have Oxy nearby, but made damn sure not to live right next door. You make a choice when you buy in a college neighborhood, and every college campus has loud parties and drunks hanging around. Unless you bought before 1912 when Oxy broke ground on the Eagle Rock campus, Oxy arguably has more right to entitlement than you do.
Meanwhile I’m sure you’re enjoying the benefits of young kids with disposable income propping up the local businesses. There’s a reason The Eagle Rock Chamber of Commerce has posted a giant banner welcoming Oxy students back.
Also, the quality of any institution can rarely be measured by the Administration. Your flippant remarks and cheap jabs just do yourself and your neighbors a disservice–who is really going to take you seriously?
on August 27th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Neutral college? Wow, I certainly can’t reason with someone that considers Occidental neutral.
on August 27th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
E, maybe you should give up here and start posting to Tom Topping’s website. I think he better entertains the level of discourse you are capable of.
on August 27th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
(and sorry, I probably should have used “banal” instead of “neutral”)
on August 27th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I think your fellow alum is much better suited to Topping’s site Soc’, you know, the one who wrote the “noble” taco truck article for it?
That was some brilliant shit.
(banal works much better, though, for sure)
on August 27th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
It’s true, I am an alum (and worse yet, I did in fact enjoy it). So good sleuthing E. Did you get a free magnifying glass with your Junior Sherlock Holmes Detective Kit? Too bad you didn’t do more investigation before moving in next to Oxy–I’m sure everybody would be happier if you lived somewhere else. Sheesh, talk about entitlement and disrespect. Maybe you should think about how you treat and talk about those around you.
on August 28th, 2009 at 9:13 am
E and Socrates,
I like the banter. Would either be interested in submitting a pro/con piece about the benefits or pitfalls of Oxy in the neighborhood? Hit the contact us link at the bottom if so.