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1:48 PM
Reut R. Cohen
A friend of mine recently took a class with Lecturer Lina Kreidie (pictured) at UCI. My friend asserted that he felt he had been penalized in a term paper for criticizing the Iranian mullah-backed regime. Furthermore, he strongly believed he received a lower grade in the class because of his views but felt helpless to do anything about it. My discussion with my friend prompted me to meet with other students who were enrolled in Kreidie's Spring 2007 course.
The course was entitled “Psychology of Middle East Conflict” and was offered by the Department of Political Science.
Students requested that I not disclose their names for fear of retaliation. The individuals who took the course recommended that I take a look at the texts used and emphasized that Al-Jazeera News was the only source Kreidie used for news regarding the Middle East region. They also asserted that Kreidie attempts to rationalize the actions of terrorists, including suicide bombers. It was the general consensus that there wasn't a great attempt to present balanced arguments. The individuals cited examples from their notes.
Students pointed out slides relating specifically to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which can be found here.
One slide posed the following question: “Can we analyze Palestinian suicide bombers without understanding their identities as occupied and oppressed people?”
An Indian student I spoke with wanted to offer his perspective. He argues: The argument that Palestinians are suffering and live in poverty and therefore feel that their only course of action is to blow themselves up is severely flawed. Morally, it makes no sense to present such an argument. Many people around the world live in poverty but do not resort to violence. Historically, there have been many people who were poor or refugees. Groups, including Jews from the Middle East, were also refugees but were able to get on with their lives. They did not use their bodies as bombs. Instead, they worked hard and founded a country without ever being compensated by Arab societies that were interested in annihalating them in the early 20th century. Furthermore, Palestinians need to ask who is repressing them. Palestinians are repressing themselves through choosing violent groups to represent them and through engaging in violence. Groups need to take accountability for their actions. Of course, if I would have argued this in my International Studies 179 class, I would have been shouted down by most of the class and the teacher. Sometimes it's better just to keep quiet in classes like these. But I would be lying if I said that this course didn't upset me in some way. It shouldn't be like this. We should all be able to voice our opinions without worrying about getting lower grades. But that's just not the reality of the situation.
Considering that a few students, not just one, took issue with the subject matter and the biased nature of the course, I would argue that there is a concern in this instance. The classroom setting should not be one for faculty to demonize one country. Instead, it should be a setting for reasonable and logical debate.
When asked if they would take a class with Kreidie again, the students said they would not.
The official course website is available here.
28 comments. Leave a comment:
The UC system made a mistake when they got rid of the rule three years ago which dictated that professors cannot use the classroom setting to preach. Professors, if they're teaching history or whatever, should try to at least be impartial and let students make up their own minds. I'm not saying professors have to be Zionists. But it's just not right for them to try to sympathize with suicide bombers and present Israelis as colonialists. There should be two sides presented.
Anyway, Israel is a friggin' tiny portion of the Middle East. I think you've said it before, Reut... even if Israel didn't exist, the entire Middle East would still be a piece of shit. With the exception of Israel and maybe a couple more secularized Arab nations, the Middle East is a joke where human rights is concerned. But Kreidie is busy defending the suicide bomber's rationale. She's preoccupied with presenting Israelis and Americans and Europeans as colonialists in order to defend fanatics.
Wow...now you're trying to make professors look like they're out to get students?
I took her class in the spring as well (I'm guessing that your "research" had some carefully selected subjects), used her sources and slides, and still got a B in the class. Realize, children, that in college, TAs do the grading, not the professors. So if they are going to whine about how their papers were graded, and how their grades were finalized, they should go the TA, not Kreidie.
I took many classes with Kreidie, and spoke to her many times in her office, and she will criticize Palestinians as much as Israelis. During her Lebanese Politics class, she spoke more about the warring factions within Lebanon than about Lebanon and its wars with Israel.
It seems to me that you like to make enemies just for the sake of making them. You don't need to "warn" people about Kreidie, let them take her and see how she teaches for themselves.
Anonymous, I took her class too in Spring. While she's taught about Lebanese politics in the past, the class during spring 07 was a general look into the Middle East. When a TA downgrades you, you can also go to the professor to ask for help and inquire about your grade. The TA has power obviously but is still only a teaching assistant. The professor can override or agree with the TA and often students go to office hrs to discuss things with the professor (not just w/the TAs).
Our issue with the class was not the fact that she isn't too crazy about Israel, but that she doesn't spend ample time discussing two sides of every matter. It's also not wise to disagree with her (or the TAs).
You appear to have a great relationship with Kreidie. Good for you. I'm glad. Maybe she'll write you a lovely recommendation for grad school. But most students don't take a professor more than once. Especially when that professor gives a skewed picture of the Middle East.
We had an issue with the class and we have a right to criticize the professor if she's being unfair and not promoting a comprehensive view. If you're sympathetic to Hezbollah, then Kreidie's class is the class for you. If you're skeptical about terror groups, you may reconsider. That's the bottom line.
"Wow...now you're trying to make professors look like they're out to get students? I took her class in the spring as well...." -anonymous 2
Of course you'd take her class. Are you part of the MSU also? Read David Horowitz's "The Professors." You'll learn something.
At UCI... a while back... I took a class with LeVine who is a friend and colleague of Kreidie. Worst class I ever took.
Biased and all that shit. One sided. Basically a pain in the ass.
Why not warn students about professors that will likely downgrade them? Why should students have to put up with a professor who will discredit them and not promote fair discourse for ten weeks? Students have a right to know about a professor before they take them. If you're paying so much money for school, you should be able to make sure you're not being taught by Socialists like LeVine and Hezbollah sympathizing faculty like Kreidie.
I also find the repeated ad-hominem against Reut hysterical. If I were her, I would restrict comments. She lets you have your say and you still bitch at her. But whatever. If you need to resort to attacking the messenger, it weakens your argument.
Reut, keep doing what you're doing. Expose these losers.
At the very top of my blog, in case you haven't noticed, I have a disclaimer.
This disclaimer clearly states that posted materials do not necessarily reflect my views.
In my original post I've quoted students who believe Kreidie's course was biased and felt like they were treated differently because of their perspectives regarding the Middle East. These students are not Jewish students. Nor are they members of the College Republicans or anything like that. These are simply students who were frustrated with a class that did not aim to be impartial. They felt it equated Israelis to terrorists and was far to apologetic regarding the actions of Palestinian terrorists.
I've not taken any classes with Kreidie. I personally take care to avoid certain professors because I would like to maintain a nice, solid GPA. However, I've heard Ms. Kreidie speak on a few occasions. On one such occasion, she accused Israel of assassinating Pierre Gemayel despite the fact that evidence suggests Hezbollah assassinated the leader. This was mere speculation but she presented it as fact.
This is only one example.
I took these students seriously because they were willing to show me their notes.
Students have a right to know what they are getting themselves into before they take a class.
I'm surprised "Mein Kampf" and "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" were not on the course reading list.
I don't know anything about Ms Kreidie, but what has been described here is precisely what is wrong with American universities. It's bad enough that professors use their classrooms as a soapbox to propagate their personal views of the world, but when they ridicule students for disagreeing or give them lower grades, that is outrageous.
Professors like these should be exposed to older audiences in adult education. When I got my Masters (at the age of 48) it was through a program at the Marine Base at Quantico and the Univ of Virginia. The students were older Marines, FBI agents and DEA agents (like myself). We would eat those professors for lunch.
Students should always ask themselves the question: Am I hearing/reading facts-or opinions.
gary fouse, adjunct teacher
uci extension/esl
As contemptable as Ms. Kreidie's style may be, she's entitled to it. I think teachers like this serve a sort of Darwininan purpose at the University level. Students who feel uncomfortable with the material can go outside of class and find information that is more complete, or they can wallow in mediocrity as they swallow everything any teacher spouts out. I'm all for "going along to get a grade", but students need to take the initiative to find out what is more "real" than what they're being presented with. As Prof. Gilmore always says, "I'm not teaching you what to think, I'm teaching you how to think". You can take a class like Ms, Kreidie's, look at her information, then go off and form your own opinion. In a free country, you'll always hear voices that don't really warrent any attention. This may be one of them.
That being said, it's hard to take any supposed intellectual seriously when they do a poor job presenting facts or ideas. I would think that UCI would want only teachers who were interested in helping supporting people's ability to think, rather than trying to change or controle their minds.
Just my two cents.
her dissertation was on hezbollah. go figure.
phixit raises some really nice points. i would like to reiterate that the aim of this post is simply to make people aware of kreidie. i'm not familiar with uc rules and maybe she does indeed have a right to use the classroom as a stage for he beliefs. she is totally entitled to that. but i think we've made it clear that it's not possible to disagree with her or the ta's and expect to come out strong. this isn't just about grades but about having the right to academic freedom.
but phixit does make a nice point. by taking kreidie's class, it made me more interested in looking at the middle east and understanding the conflict.
Exactly my point. While it sucks that you can't be free to express your opinion in her class, a good student is going to get fired up and want to get a real grip on what she's putting out there. By doing this, you benefit.
On the other hand if you run into someone who's willing to swallow the crap hook/line/sinker, that's probably not someone you want to spend any time on. So again, you benefit.
Unfortunatly, teachers like this are what must be tolerated (if not accepted) in a country where free speech and educational freedom exist. We just have to rise above them.
How can someone be expected to teach when they don't know the facts, have a distorted view of reality, and clearly have an agenda? In truth it is not the teacher’s fault for being an idiot, or a cheerleader for terrorists. It is the University's fault for hiring such a despicable person.
This so called "Dr." did her "Ph.D" work on Hezbollah. That should tell you everything you need to know about her. I am actually surprised she is only a lecturer, I thought someone with her credentials would immediately get the title of Distinguished Professor
stop whining u got a shitty grade cuz u wrote a shitty paper.
it's more than the paper, mike. chances are i've done better in school than you are too.
you're missing the point.
if you're gonna bitch at us for taking issue with something that is a real concern, then you shouldn't even bother posting. we have a right to express our discontent. we're paying the same as you are. no one should get stuck with a socialist or a hezbollah-loving professor for 10 weeks. if that kinda shit tickles your fancy, be my guest. most of the shitheads taking kreidie were part of the msu of the students for "peace and justice." some of us would have preferred knowing what we were getting into.
As an alumnus, I encourage you kids to keep complaining. This makes MSU thugs uneasy because they worry for their favorite professor.
I'll just clarify something... Phixit also made a mention of it... people can still opt to take Kreidie's class. Especially if they are interested in her severely skewed opinions. However, people also have a right to know what's out there and what teacher they are taking. End of story.
The MSU can continue taking classes with Kreidie and doing research with her. No one is suggesting you stop. I think everyone recognizes that Kreidie is entitled to academic freedom like everyone else. She isn't entitled to giving people lower grades but that is another story....
Since many of you likely don't know the situations of students, it isn't fair for you to call their papers shitty. For all you know, a student may have gone to the school's dean and received a higher grade.
i still think you wrote a shitty paper and thats why you're pissed.
i think you are pretty immature. the comments on my paper don't suggest that the paper was "shitty." the comments take issue with my criticisms and outlook. one of the comments on my paper suggested that i shouldn't call iran an islamic country even though it is has become an islamic country and this was apparently a big deal for my TA and Kreidie.
you don't know what you are talking about, mike. you'd be surprised if you knew how many people (including professors) are taking our side on this one. like i said, you don't know what u are taking about.
Great job, Reut. Keep up the great work.
Anti-Semitism in America and our Universities
Being born and raised in West Los Angeles, I lived on a street where most of the families were Jewish. Therefore, it followed that many of my childhood friends were Jewish. Nevertheless, I knew that in those days (1950s), Jews were still often objects of stereotypes and jokes that later faded into unacceptable language. However, it wasn't until I joined the Army in 1966 and found myself stationed in Germany, that I saw the results of anti-Semitism and began to form strong opinions about this phenomena. Germany has continued to be a major part of my life even after my military service there ended. As a result, I have been able to observe (and write) about how the German people have dealt with the Nazi period of their history.
With the events in the Middle East, particularly in respect to the on-going Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I have recently observed what I consider to be a resurgence of anti-Jewish feeling in my own country. I feel that, not only must it be confronted, but the finger should be pointed squarely at those who are responsible.
First, a little personal background. While in Germany, I was stationed in a small university town called Erlangen, which is located about 20 kilometers north of Nuremberg. Due to its proximity to Erlangen, I got to know Nuremberg quite well and became quite fond of the city due to its old medieval architecture, which was restored to its original style after being destroyed by Allied bombing. However, more than any other German city, with the possible exception of Munich and Berlin, Nuremberg is associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Hitler chose the city as the site of his annual Nazi Party Rallies. During the 1935 Rally, the so-called Nuremberg Laws were announced, which legally relegated Jews to 2nd class citizens in Germany. It was also home to Julius Streicher, the notorious "Jew-Baiter of Nuremberg", who published the anti-Semitic Newspaper-Der Stuermer. (He was hanged at Nuremberg after the war.) Finally, the city was the venue for the War Crimes Trials. To this very day, the city has tried to shake its unsavory image.
Most of the sites in Nuremberg that were seen in old Nazi newsreels are still around. The area where the rallies were held is still there, the white marble tribune slowly deteriorating in isolated solitude except for a few curious visitors. The Courthouse where the top Nazis were brought to justice is still used by the city for legal purposes. In addition, the main square, where newsreels show Hitler saluting his marching troops, is still the center of city life.
After returning to civilian life in the US, I read everything I could on the Nazi era, becoming sort of an amateur scholar on the subject. In my later overseas travels, I have returned to Germany countless times, often to Erlangen. I have also visited several of the old concentration camps, specifically Dachau, Buchenwald, Sachsenhausen and Auschwitz (in Poland). To speak of those places making a strong impression on me would be a gross understatement. Suffice to say, all this has made me sensitive to the subject of anti-Semitism.
As for Erlangen, my emotional attachment eventually led me to write an English-language history of the city, which was published in 2005 (Erlangen-An American's History of a German Town). My work on the project enabled me to return there in 2004 to do research and in 2006 to promote the book. It was a fascinating experience to learn about the history of a city in which I had lived so many years before-at a time that I did not really think about its history. Now I have learned about Erlangen during the Nazi era. For example, there was a book-burning ceremony there-as in all university towns. During Kristallnacht in 1938, the town's Jewish inhabitants were rounded up and jailed for a few days. Then during the war, the last remaining 20 or so Jewish residents were arrested and shipped east to the extermination camps. Only a handful survived. There was also a Jewish cemetery in Erlangen-or on the outskirts-which I had no knowledge of during my service time there. Through the help of the local Jewish community center, I was able to visit the place-normally locked up under a caretakers supervision.
The local Erlangen Jewish Community Center is worth mentioning. Established only in the past two decades, it serves a small community of a few dozen Russian immigrants. During my interview with the community leader, she made a very poignant remark, which, while I must have known was true, had never really thought about. She told me that the word "Jew" (Jude) is, to this day, an emotion-laden word in German. The Nazis did not have to resort to ethnic epithets to describe Jews. Simply the word, usually spoken in a derogatory tone of voice, was enough to make their point. To a somewhat lesser extent, I think this is also true in English (You know the old saying. It's not what you say-it's how you say it.) I keep thinking about this point when I hear some voices in the US refer to Jews-or "Zionist Jews".
But enough about Germany. I want to talk now about anti-Semitism here in America. Is it making a comeback? Did it ever go away? People can disagree, but I think there is a growing anti-Jewish trend in some quarters in this country, fueled by the Middle East situation with Israel and the perceived support for Israel by American Jews.
But where do we point the finger of blame? Well, obviously, you can find anti-Semites in all quarters of society. In my opinion, however, this is largely fueled on university campuses, those bastions of left-wing thought. Aside from the preponderance of professors who are antagonistic to traditional American values and conservative thought, there is no question that many of them openly favor the Palestinian cause and have nothing positive to say about Israel. In addition, numerous American campuses are hosts to Muslim Student Associations that also express hostility to Israel. Now let me say that I don't expect many Muslims to take Israel's side. That is fine. While I am no expert on Middle East affairs, I would concede that the Palestinians probably have some legitimite grievances. Where they lost my support is when they embraced terrorism. It also didn't help when many of them danced in the streets on 9-11.
From my own observations at the University of California at Irvine, where I teach part-time, I have been appalled at the events that the Muslim Student Union has put on for the last several years. The speakers they routinely bring to campus bring a message of hate, not only against Israel when they call for its destruction, but hate against Jews and America as well. It has led me to the conclusion that anti-Semitism is a central theme, although they deny that they are against Jews per se. What they do is constantly repeat the phrase "Zionist Jews" over and over again. But what exactly is a Zionist today? The term referred to a 19th century movement by European Jews to return to their original Jewish homeland in order to escape persecution by Europeans. What is a Zionist today? A Jew who lives in Israel? Or an American Jew who supports Israel's right to survive and defend itself? I have heard speakers like Abdel Amir Malik Ali, an imam from Oakland, who appears at UCI on a regular basis. When he is not praising suicide bombers as heroes, he continually uses the phrase "Zionist Jew" in the same derogatory tone that Nazis referred to "Der Jude". It's not what you say, it's how you say it.
I do not wish to paint all American Muslims with the same brush. That would not be fair. However, many activist Muslim students are exhibiting hostility not only to Israel (which is their right), but to Jews in general. Even more alarmingly, many university professors, for whatever motives, are aligning themselves with the pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel movement as an aside to their usual hate America diatribes. The lunatic ex-professor, Ward Churchhill appeared as a speaker at the last MSU rally at UCI, joining hands with Malik Ali and other radicals in denouncing Israel and the US.
Then there is former President, Jimmy Carter, who also recently spoke at UCI, taking a completely pro-Palestinian position and criticizing Israel and many of their Jewish supporters in the US. (I was present). Many Jews are coming to the conclusion that Carter is an anti-Semite. I am not ready to make that conclusion yet. I just think that he is a dangerously misguided fool, same as he was as president.
To conclude, it is my opinion that the Israel-Palestinian conflict is leading to an increase in anti-Semitism in this country, largely fueled on university campuses by some young Muslim students and their radical left professorial sympathizers. I suspect that many people, especially in our universities, would just as soon throw Israel and Jews overboard, so to speak, in order to try and placate Muslim opinions. It is very much like what is happening in many European countries. But it should not happen here.
gary fouse
fousesquawk
Lina is brilliant.
i'm sure she's great you're "anti-israel" and refuse to listen to another argument. it's time for those who are "anti-israel" to criticize their own governments and disgusting practices. israel cannot be held to a higher moral standard than everyone else.
MS KREIDIE ROCKS! Before I start, I would like to say that I do not necessarily agree with any of her points-I am not pro-Hezbollah. I have talked to her several times and find her the most intriguing human being. She would never do such a thing as to penalize someone for having a different opinion, just like you have done with her. If you have not taken any classes with her then why did you criticise her like you did. Well, in my opinion, you have taken a lot of time to put this article together, you surely put together lots of biased pieces of information to put as bad a view of Ms. Kreidie as you can. Let me ask you a serious question Are you attacking Ms. Kreidie because you do not accept her Points of view? Or is it that you are attacking her because you are Israeli??
Actually she does not defend suicide bombers! that is absolutely crazy! Its quite the opposite, she thinks they are absolutely crazy to do what they are doing! You are the joke, this article is the joke! Why do you spend your time attacking teachers who do not have the same view as you! My advice to you is get a life! ""If you value your sanity and consider yourself to be a moral individual don't take a class with Lina Kreidie." -UCI Student" AND THAT AS YOUR OPENING STATEMENT?! I reccomend Ms. Kreidie to everyone who is interested to learn new perspectives and to understand what the media does not say....
JD,
Why must you be so hostile? If you had an issue with the article, you merely could have stated your points calmly instead of attacking me. It reflects poorly upon yourself.
I met with students from Kreidie's class because they contacted me expressing their concerns. These same students also contacted individuals within the Academic Senate.
I am familiar with Lecturer Kreidie. I've attended many panels at which she's spoken. During panels I've asked questions and have tried to express different views. She, under no circumstances, wanted to hear anything in opposition with what she believed. For example, at a panel hosted December 2006, she attempted to talk over me while I posed a question. Ms. Kreidie has quite a formidable temper. Her behavior was not only unprofessional but somewhat appalling.
Kreidie's views are often anti-Israel and even anti-American. As a lecturer, she needs to be open to hearing thoughts of students and not ridiculing them or penalizing them.
Professors should be open to different ideas so long as they are expressed in a calm and dignified manner.
Moreover, the title of this article is a quote from one of the students I interviewed who wanted to remain anonymous. It's obviously a quote because it is in quotations.
I have no issue with Ms. Kreidie personally. My decision to report about the biased nature of her class is because as an AMERICAN, I find her teaching style to be un-American. Freedom of speech should not be one-sided. Students should not be ridiculed for not agreeing with Ms. Kreidie. We should not work hard to put ourselves through school only to be indoctrinated.
Probably one of the worst professors at UCI. Biased views, horrible presentation and unorganized class makes it so hard to learn. This professor should be removed. I'll make a promise that by the end of this spring this professor is removed. If not, it's going to cost UCI a lot of money and reputation. FBI and homeland security should be after people like this. This is where it all starts, when professors like this fill the young minds of students with bs about the middle east. It's a class that teaches people how to become fundamentalists. Bin Ladin would enjoy these classes.
She is an awful woman. Loves Hezbollah. She should go greet some Islamist thug with her face uncovered and see how long she lasts. She hates students who don't like her which is why people avoid her shitty lectures. This awful human being used to have a photo of Ahmadinejad on her desktop. No freaking joke. Used Al Jazeera as a source of information (THE ONLY SOURCE) when I took her back in the day.
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