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Prestigious, Top-Tier University to Offer ‘Occupy 101’

Jan. 2, 2012 1:08pm Becket Adams

Columbia University is offering a new course on Occupy Wall Street next semester, reports the New York Post.

Dr. Hannah Appel, who claims to have spent several nights camped out in Zuccotti Park, will be teaching a course formally titled “Occupy the Field: Global Finance, Inequality, Social Movement.”

On her blog, Appel defends OWS, arguing that “it is important to push back against the rhetoric of ‘disorganization’ or ‘a movement without a message’ coming from left, right and center.”

This is how the course will be set up (according to the syllabus):

Up to 30 students will be expected to get involved in ongoing OWS projects outside the classroom
It will be divided between seminars and “fieldwork”
Upperclassmen and grad students will be sent into the field for full course credit (which prompted the Post to ask “Does getting pepper-sprayed count as extra credit?”)

Addressing the safety risks of sending students out to perform “fieldwork,” Appel writes, “I can say with absolute certainty that there is no foreseeable risk in teaching this as a field-base class.”

“…absolute certainty…”

While some would argue that her obvious support for the OWS movement will influence the overarching message of the course, and “keep her from being an objective teacher,” Appel disagrees.

“Inevitably, my experience will color the way I teach, but I feel equipped to teach objectively,” Appel told The Post. “It’s best to be critical of the things we hold most sacred.”

The class will been broken up into three sections. The first portion of the course is titled “Occupation, Direct Action & Other Tactics.” The second portion is called “On Revolution.” The third and final portion of the course is called “The Alter Globalization Movement and the Question of Anarchy.”

The Blaze has addressed the issue of academia engaging OWS before, but perhaps it bears repeating: if University professors want to have an honest and open discussion on “income inequality,” revolution, anarchy, and total social upheaval, perhaps it would behoove them to review the following figures—you know, for “objectivity’s” sake:

Consider the following:

Harvard Professor Average Salary: $193,800
Columbia Professor Average Salary: $191,400
University of Chicago Professor Average Salary: $190,400
Stanford University Professor Average Salary: $188,400
Princeton University Average Salary: $186,000

Now compare these numbers:

U.S. Marine 20+ Years Median Salary: $76,200
U.S. Marine 10-19 Years Median Salary: $53,100
U.S. Marine 5-9 Years Median Salary: $40,000
U.S. Marine Less Than 5 Years Median Salary: $28,700

Given these sets of facts, would it be unfair to demand Miss Appel offer a seminar titled “Occupy the Quad”?

As written earlier on The Blaze:

To be fair, the difference in salary between a tenured Harvard professor and a U.S. Marine may not be as extreme as, say, the difference between a Goldman Sachs executive and a New York City police officer.

However, as far as one can tell, the Occupy movement isn’t just about a difference in numbers. It’s about a specific socio-political theory that says, “It’s not fair that so few should have so much.”

When the Occupiers say that we should protest Goldman Sachs because hedge funders are paid more than the police, wouldn’t that same logic apply to [Columbia] because its professors are paid more than the U.S. Marines?

It would seem that both of these examples are flawed in their logic because, at their root, they are dependent an arbitrary and personal understanding of what “too much” is.

Who gets to decide that? …unless someone produces a fact-based proof for what “equal” looks like, then the entire idea of “income inequality” will continue to go in circles…

Click here to read the full syllabus.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (140)

booger71
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:59pm
Only thing Ivy League University professors produce are more idiots

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- Uranium Wedge
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:35pm
  Occupy Who?
  
  Report this comment
- smokeysmoke
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:44pm
  You think any ivy league prof would be interested in the debate of both sides to help educate the students, sad to hear that these rich kids parents R paying lots of money to have their kids indoctrinated and told exactly what to think… What an education… if I was an allumni of the school I would demand the teacher be fired… There should be no room for indoctrinating kids at school
  
  Report this comment
- smackdown33
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 3:05pm
  Look, the Jewish Howard Zinn back in the 1960′s, when he was a 40 year old running around with college kids, serendipitously fell upon the idea that colleges and universities could be used for non-education, political purposes.
  Columbia is not a top tier university. It is a top tier political tool of the left.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 3:17pm
  A class in Occupy 101 = a job asking, “Would you like fries with that?”
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 3:32pm
  1- Columbia teaches “Occupy 101″ to students.
  2- Students finally figure out they are being overcharged for tuition.
  3- Students Occupy Columbia.
  4- Columbia calls in Police to remove Occupiers.
  5- Police tell Columbia, “Sorry, you thought them that, you deal with it.”
  6- Overpaid Professors don’t know what to do.
  7- Occupiers burn down Columbia.
  8- Problem solved at one University.
  
  Report this comment
- lylee
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 4:00pm
  I only read the headline, how did I know it was Columbia? I must be psychic!
  
  Report this comment
- What_Did_I_Miss
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 4:08pm
  Do you know how to get a Columbia liberal arts graduate off of your porch?
  
  Pay him for the pizza.
  
  Report this comment
- lylee
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 4:13pm
  Didn’t Obama go to Columbia? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
  
  Report this comment
- Living In NYC
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:21pm
  Geez and these professors tell the kids if they get a BS Degree in OWS there will get a six figure job after graduation!
  
  Funny how these professors fill their own pockets with text book royalites, book deals and consulting deals All the while telling kids their degrees in OWS and Basket Weaving = six figure jobs! When the useless degress don’t land jobs….the elite educator blame Wall Street…SWEET DEAL!
  
  Glad I got a Business Degree!
  
  Report this comment
- IMAWAKENOW
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 7:59pm
  I wonder what kind of job a degree in occupy gets you. At least they know where they will end up, hope they remember to bring a sleeping bag.
  
  Report this comment
- nelbert
  Posted on January 3, 2012 at 12:21am
  And here’s the Antisemitic troll Smackdown33 right on queue.
  Tagging Howard Zinn as Jewish is a bit like calling Fidel Castro Roman Catholic or Lenin Russian Orthodox.
  If you spent a tenth the time applying common sense instead of trying to bolster your anti-Jewish conspiracy theories, you might actually come up with a meaningful thought.
  
  Report this comment
cessna152
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:55pm
The course will only have you learn [only] one thing… That is “repeat after me..”

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- Shasta
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:18pm
  Mic check
  
  Report this comment
- Bum thrower
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 3:07pm
  Or, ‘how to demonstrate, and demand “more free ****”………idiots…….and the chinese are turning out engineers……….go firgure..
  
  Report this comment
- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 4:35pm
  University poop mills…. Producing nothing but stupid crap….
  
  Report this comment
JustMel71
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:48pm
Senate is moving to finalize the National Defense Authorization Act.

Statement from President Obama
“Today I have signed into law H.R. 1540, the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012.” December 31. But don’t worry about this, nothing to see here. Funny I dropped by Huff n Puff site to see what their commenters thought and wow just 41 comments from yesterdays story. Guess it’s not BIG enough news compared to the Iowa Caucus. Just go back to viewing about the Iowa Caucus. It is only our liberties slipping away again. :yawns: yeah whatever….

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/01/national-defense-authorization-act_n_1123167.html

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- JustMel71
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:37pm
  Not yesterdays story from Huff n Puff. Sorry about that.
  
  http://www.businessinsider.com/new-years-eve-2012-ndaa-fears-remain-2011-12
  
  http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/31/statement-president-hr-1540
  
  Report this comment
- SLAPTHELEFT
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 5:26pm
  I’m with you.
  
  Report this comment
ZAP
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:48pm
They should have a class”CAMPING IN YOUR MOM’S BASEMENT”

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- Detroit paperboy
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:08pm
  More worthless liberal education from worthless liberal colleges , taught by worthless liberal professors…. And consumed by worthless liberal students…. And they’re shocked they cant find jobs ????
  
  Report this comment
- MYHEROISRON
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:20pm
  … how about extra credit for my billy club across their teeth. Hi there, Gumby!
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 3:21pm
  @ZAP
  “They should have a class”CAMPING IN YOUR MOM’S BASEMENT”
  
  Isn’t that class called, “Sociology 101?”
  
  Report this comment
barber2
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:46pm
And people wonder why American youth grows dumber by the day…

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- 4truth2all
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:43pm
  Yes, but what is really sad is that they are lead by shoot themselves in the head adults…oops that hurts !!! unfortunatly not just them. We are screwed up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
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NOBALONEY
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:45pm
Columbia! Will Frances Fox Piven be the Instructor?

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- Stoic one
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:08pm
  No the OWS department head, with objective oversight.
  
  ({{ extreme sarcasm}})
  
  Report this comment
- IronSights
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:34pm
  What do you expect from a university that provided a platform for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to speak to the students. I assume they receives a crap load of our tax dollars to finance their programs and staff. Pretty tough to find a campus that isn’t it’s own “lib-nation” for indoctrination. So it’s only fitting that these self proclaimed intellectuals would be providing training on how to be worthless load on society after they graduate. Let’s face it, they can’t all be professors, they’ll have to do something with their time.
  
  Report this comment
Jackie Rogers, Jr.
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:44pm
I would like to audit this class, but:
A) I don’t live in NYC.
B) If I did live in NYC, I would never be accepted to Columbia.
C) If I lived in NYC and was accepted to Columbia, I could never afford the tuition.
Sigh, to whom does equality pertain?

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- barber2
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:05pm
  Jackie: consider yourself blessed !
  
  Report this comment
- Jackie Rogers, Jr.
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:47pm
  @ Barber2:
  You’re right! I feel sad that the entire Columbia student body is not as blessed as I, in this regard.
  
  Report this comment
- Jackie Rogers, Jr.
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:53pm
  I.e., poor, dumb and isolated.
  
  Report this comment
PubliusPencilman
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:41pm
The university is a private business and should be able to conduct itself how it wants, right free marketers? If students pay to take this course, it means that the market had decided it is viable, right? Can’t argue with the market.

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- booger71
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:02pm
  Except for maybe Haaaawvid, most of these “private” universities accept governemnt subsidies of some sort
  
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- barber2
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:07pm
  And the scholarships at tax payers’ expense to brainwash the young into this Far Left Boot Camp…
  
  Report this comment
- Stoic one
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:11pm
  I will agree with that if ALL fed,state,&local taxes / funding are are not a part of the revenue stream of the institution.
  
  Report this comment
DADDYWOREAWHITEHAT
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:39pm
I’m sure there will be plenty of taxpayer funded student loans to pay for the course too. I’m gettin pretty tired of this.

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OlefromMN
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:38pm
And yet they claim they’re broke and need additional government funding to keep the costs down? Don’t tell me they need more money. Cut these irrelevant classes and their staffs and you will see the cost of “higher education” plummet.

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- CatB
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:48pm
  Check into the “endowments” that these institutions have .. they are sitting on millions if not billions of dollars .. why are the taxpayers subsidizing them?
  
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- booger71
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:04pm
  Actually if the government would get out of college loan and grant business, you would see costs plummet.
  
  Report this comment
- tool4rage
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 6:16pm
  mmm…I’m more inclined to believe that if you cut classes/staff, you’d just see salaries of the rest go up ;)
  
  Report this comment
rcw1120
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:36pm
I would love to take this class, activism was slowly dying in this country before OWS, and activism can bring the peoples voice to the attention of those who can do something about it. I dont think this would be necessary for graduation, just an elective. Ill have to see if I can organize a class like that at my school. Hell, we got rid of Walker, we might as well keep the revolution going!

Oh, and if the Marines want to whine about not making enough money, they can get a real job.

Contact me:

cowace10@uwgb.edu

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- rcw1120
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:21pm
  @Rainman
  
  I do have the nads to do it, I have before. Its pretty simple! If America needed defending, that would be a different story, but last I checked there wasnt a war taking place in our streets, cities and towns. What kind of service do they do that has an immediate effect? Im just saying, I find it rather convenient for those figures to be placed up there with a teacher’s of a private institution.
  
  As for me, I take care of the mentally and physically disabled and help them live the life they want to live without letting their disabilities prevent them from doing so.
  
  Report this comment
- rcw1120
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:23pm
  Oh, and my family is full of service men, I make sure they never forget how I feel about what they do.
  
  Report this comment
- conservativebamagirl
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 3:18pm
  The only reason there isn’t a war going on in our streets, cities and towns is because our brave men and women fight to keep them in their own damn country. Did you forget 9/11? Had we not sent our soldiers to fight they would have kept it coming!
  
  Report this comment
- softunderbelly
  Posted on January 3, 2012 at 4:40am
  I have to laugh. At least get your English right. college boy (or is it girly-girl). Such a pale imitation of what we did for laughs back in the sixties. And you want to take a class in this? Toddlers don’t require a class in the “terrible twos”. Why should you?
  Shaddup and get back to those bedpans.
  
  Report this comment
- dugirl232
  Posted on January 3, 2012 at 5:58am
  RCW1120 – none of us wouldn’t be able to get a real job if it wasn’t for our military.
  
  Why don’t you get down on your knees and thank God you are not speaking German or Arabic as your first language?
  
  I swear. You ungrateful Americans need to leave MY country and go live in a third world country. get out. Oh that’s right. Most you are all mouth anyway. You know America is the only place you speak what you want and not be annihilated for doing so.
  
  Report this comment
- rcw1120
  Posted on January 3, 2012 at 2:36pm
  @Conservativebamagirl
  
  Yes, Im sure, the boat loads of middle east people will just land on our shores and all hell will break loose. 9/11 was the act of the religious minority and radicals without the backing of military support. So then its justified to act the way we did?
  
  @Softunderbelly
  
  You dont even deserve an answer from me “girly- girl”
  
  @Dugirl232
  
  “Why dont you get on your knees and Thank God”
  
  Because, Im smart enough to see that religion is hokum and fallacy. Ill thank those who are actually responsible for what I have and have access to.
  
  Out of curiosity, what is wrong with speaking German? Its a beautiful language and I do speak it. Is it inferior to English in some weird way?
  Its not your country, please, don’t say such silly things. I am planning on getting out of this country once I finish college, dont you worry. Anywhere that holds politicians like Palin and Bachman in some sort of respect is not a place that me, my family, or my children should be. As for the last part of your point, that isnt correct, America isnt the only place that you can speak freely.
  
  Thank you, have a good day, and best wishes to you all.
  
  contact me:
  
  cowace10@uwgb.edu
  
  Report this comment
DR4SOUL
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:36pm
Proof that liberals dominate secular institutions of higher education in America. What a waste of academic time and effort.

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recentcollegegrad
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:36pm
Blaze: When you post “averages” or “medians” make sure you choose ONE way to compare numbers. An average is very different from a median…Regardless, I believe this class is absurd and if I am accepted to Columbia for graduate school, I will reconsider my acceptance.

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GardenoftheGods
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:28pm
And these “kids” wonder why they can’t get a job after going to University! Classes like this & “Exploring the Feminine Orgasm” aren’t exactly what the job creators are looking for…are they?

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- CatB
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:49pm
  Better off sending a kid to a trade school …. they will have a job skill and they won’t come out an indoctrinated idiot either.
  
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- barber2
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:53pm
  Wonder WHAT Obama specialized in since we can’t see his school records. Let me guess: community organizing ! Now he’s working on Country Disorganizing….
  
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MeteoricLimbo
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:27pm
Oi Vey.

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TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:27pm
Pitiful, lame, beyond obnoxious and may this university…I’m sorry…”university”…go bloody broke.

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MarianF
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:26pm
I work for a top-tier university and am shocked. If there is one thing I am well aware of it is that the university wants the rich daddy’s money. Such bad juju to have a class to preach against their major soure of income.

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JQCitizen
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:26pm
Yeah, AS IF they’re not ALREADY teaching that FULL-TIME!!!

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- CatB
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:50pm
  Exactly .. just another meaningless course for taxpayers to pay for.
  
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- barber2
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 2:02pm
  Nothing like teaching them how to use the system “to destroy the system.” Priceless….then use the system to bill the clueless taxpayer to bring on the chaos…
  
  Report this comment
NickDeringer
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:26pm
They gotta do something to justify the donations from Left-wing donors.

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Psycho3D
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:26pm
Can you camp in the class room during the course?

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- barber2
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:47pm
  And just Occupy the Dean’s office if you don’t like your grade ??
  
  Report this comment
- BOMUSTGO
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:57pm
  You can even take a crap on the Professor’s desk! Get extra credit that way.
  
  Report this comment
wildturkeywatcher
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:23pm
And this course will help people get a job in what field? Community organizing? Oh, yes, that will help them become president of the USA. Go for it, you lazy brains.

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- SoCaLCapitalist
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:26pm
  GOOD now we know who to SUE.. She’s got deep pockets too.
  
  LOS ANGELES—The city of Los Angeles is weighing a lawsuit against Occupy LA protesters to recoup financial damages sustained during the two-month encampment.
  William Carter, chief deputy for city attorney Carmen Trutanich, tells the Los Angeles Times (http://lat.ms/vJzCBX) the city is “contemplating any and all of its options.”
  
  Report this comment
bioya1
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:21pm
Columbia – Isn’t that Obozo’s alma mater? Add to that professors that adore brainless and Marxist activity in a Capitalist socity.

Judging from the quality of its output I’d never send my children there.

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bhelmet
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:15pm
Is it clear yet?

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ThePostman
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:15pm
Columbia is neither top-tier nor prestigious. Witness: They are offering a course in fads. I would say they are more like a junior college in terms of scholastic esteem.

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on January 2, 2012 at 1:14pm
The course is fairly easy:

(Professor: “Mike Check…”
(Students “Mike Check…”
Then you graduate.

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- brother_ed
  Posted on January 2, 2012 at 5:26pm
  Hahaha!!
  
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