Seton Hall University made news last week when the Archbishop of Newark, John J. Myers, announced in a public statement that the University's plan to offer a course on gay marriage troubled him "greatly." While Myers does not have the authority to restrict course offerings at the University, he said that "the board of trustees of Seton Hall have asked the board of regents to investigate the matter of this proposed course and to take whatever action is required under the law to protect the Catholicity of this university."
The Newark Progressive Examiner caught up with political science professor, Dr. W. King Mott via cell phone as he commuted to a morning class. Dr. Mott suggested the course offering and will teach it to upper classmen in the fall of 2010.
The course, said Dr. Mott, is designed to present the current literature, on both sides of the debate, on a topic that has been prominent in the United States for many years. The course will begin with an overview of how marriage has been understood in a variety of cultures throughout the world, focusing on African, pan-Asian, European, and North American perspectives.
The second half of the course will look at the contemporary scholarship, research, and literature on the topic of gay marriage within various fields such as psychology, sociology, and political science.
If there is time, Dr. Mott would like to look at the legislative battles and court cases that have taken place in the United States over the past few years. Dr. Mott said he believes the case of California is interesting, and would also like to look at Massachusetts since that state was the first in the U.S. to make same-sex marriage legal in 2003. In this section of the course, Dr. Mott would look at the influence of various special interest groups, particularly religious groups, on legislation. In the case of Massachusetts, the class would examine how the law has influenced politics, society, and marriage there since passage.
While Dr. Mott is aware of the attention that the course has received since the Archbishop spoke out against it, he said that it is in our universities where people agree to come together to examine sometimes controversial issues in a disinterested way. Dr. Mott was careful to point out that disinterested does not mean that people do not have opinions. Rather, they are willing to objectively consider issues academically, which means engaging in thoughtful spoken and written dialogue while examining a wide variety of evidence and literature. Dr. Mott stated, as he has before, that this is not an advocacy class. He has taught political sciences courses on Karl Marx, he said, but was not advocating Marxism.
When asked if the controversy with the Newark Archdiocese concerned him, Dr. Mott said "Not at all. It is my job to protect the educational rights of my students to engage in civil discourse, and to present topics in a way that is intellectually valuable." The class is already full.
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To see more beautiful photos of Seton Hall as well as other subjects, please visit the website of photographer Milan Stanic.
Comments
Homosexuality is not a sin according to the Bible. Any educated Christian would know that. Scholars who have studied the Bible in context of the times and in relation to other passages have shown those passages (Leviticus, Corinthians, Romans, etc) have nothing to do with homosexuality. These passages often cherry-picked while ignoring the rest of the Bible. The sins theses passages are referring to are idolatry, prostitution, and rape, not homosexuality.
(Change *** to www)
***.soulfoodministry.org/docs/English/NotASin.htm
***.jesus21.com/content/sex/bible_homosexuality_print.html
***.christchapel.com/reclaiming.html
***.stjohnsmcc.org/new/BibleAbuse/BiblicalReferences.php
***.gaychristian101.com/
Homosexuality is not a choice. Just like you don't choose the color of your skin, you cannot choose whom you are sexually attracted to. If you can, sorry, but you are not heterosexual, you are bi-sexual. Virtually all major psychological and medical experts agree that sexual orientation is NOT a choice. Most gay people will tell you its not a choice. Common sense will tell you its not a choice. While science is relatively new to studying homosexuality, studies tend to indicate that its biological.
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***-news.uchicago.edu/releases/03/differential-brain-activation.pdf
***.newscientist.com/channel/sex/dn14146-gay-brains-structured-like-those-of-the-opposite-sex.html
Gay, Straight Men's Brain Responses Differ
***.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,155990,00.html
***.livescience.com/health/060224_gay_genes.html
***.springerlink.com/content/w27453600k586276/
The National Library of Medicine pubs confirm that sexual orientation is natural, biologically induced in the first trimester of pregnancy, morally neutral, immutable, neither contagious nor learned, bearing no relation to an individuals ability to form deep and lasting relationships, to parent children, to work or to contribute to society.
From the American Psychological Association: homosexuality is normal; homosexual relationships are normal.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychological Asociation and American Psychiatric Asociation have endorsed civil marriage for same-sex couples because marriage strengthens mental and physical health and longevity of couples, and provides greater legal and financial security for children, parents and seniors.
America's premier child/mental health associations endorse marriage equality.
I'm sorry. But again, I have to ask what is the purpose of the American school system? Is this course going to help kids get a job? I may be too pragmatic but after 17 years in a school system that taught me all sorts of theory and no skills to actually work... other than reading, writing, basic science and arithmetic (which came in the first few years). I basically learned how to work "on the job." I believe the whole school system needs to be re-evaluated. I also understand there are trade schools, but this seems like another example of why unemployment is so high for college grads. To the university I would say, "What are you trying to accomplish in this school?"
I guess for young people going to college, I would suggest carefully looking at what you will get out of the education before you sign up.
The idea of a university, particularly in the liberal arts, is to explore ideas and to develop critical thinking. This class meets those objectives.
Your points are well taken. However, they could be applied to almost any class in any major. Does a class on the American Revolution prepare you for a job? Not unless you will be teaching. However, most students study history. Does a class on poetry prepare you for a job? Again, not necessarily, but most are exposed to great literature anyway.
It is true that most jobs require on-the-job learning. However, I hope that college gives young people life skills -- a well-rounded education, exposure to a wide variety of subjects and intriguing ideas, a more open mind, and the ability to form a well-grounded opinion. It is absolutely vital that we impart these skills in order to have a functioning democracy. We are training the next generation to be active and effective citizens, not just workers.
This article is very well written and I appreciate your comments Laura. My perspective on democracy seems opposite to yours. I believe history is our most valuable teacher- it's fact based. A look into the fall of Rome helps us understand today. And our democracy was founded by workers and military men (very active and effective). Thanks again for responding to my comments. I agree to disagree. The ability to peacefully disagree is one of America's strengths. Keep up the good work.
I almost wish I was back in college again so I could take a course like this. Having been somewhat involved in the local marriage litigation and legislation and a student of the battles around the country, I am sure this will be a fascinating study on many levels. In addition to the religious and legal arguments, it will be interesting to look at the coalitions that were formed on both sides support the arguments, as well as the political forces involved and Lambda Legal's national legal strategy. California's Prop 8 experience will be an interesting study, but even the New Jersey experience has been fascinating.
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