Traditionalist's Approach to Teaching O'Brien and to Ideology in the Classroom, A

The goal of our program on "Ideology in the Classroom" initially was to explore the proper role of ideology in the classroom with the help of representatives of critical race theory, law and economics, feminist legal thought, and critical legal studies. From the perspective of the original planners of the program, the discussion of a case like O'Brien v. Cunard Steamship Co., were viewed simply as a means to that end. During the implementation of the program, a second set of goals began to emerge: each of the "representatives" saw participation in the program as a opportunity to "showcase" his or her "school" so as to demonstrate the clarity of its vision to the uninitiated and perhaps to win over a few academic converts. I prefer a different definition of "traditionalist," one which allows me to represent myself where I am right now.