Amid ongoing pro-Palestine protests on the campuses of US universities, New York University (NYU) has introduced a rather unconventional form of punishment for protesting students: watching an episode of The Simpsons.
The decision comes after months of protests at NYU, culminating in the removal of encampments by police on April 22, resulting in the arrest of over a hundred individuals. Following this, some students were directed to watch Season 10, episode 7 of The Simpsons, where Lisa Simpson's character grapples with issues of cheating and honesty in school.
Rebecca Karl, a Professor of History at NYU, expressed surprise at the university's use of such measures, highlighting the irony of asking for confessions from students engaged in protests when they may not feel free to express their views openly.
NYU spokesperson John Beckman defended the decision, stating that reflection papers and reading assignments are common in higher education. The Simpsons, known for its blend of cultural commentary and humor, was chosen to impart ethical lessons to the protesting students.
The students were tasked with answering questions about ethical decisions made by the principal in the episode and writing reflection papers on their actions, including an exploration of how they might respond differently in similar situations in the future.
While some faculty members criticized these measures as coercive and questioned the administration's characterization of the protestors as brainwashed, others expressed support for the university's approach.
In addition to the reflection papers, students were required to complete a seven-module "Ethos Integrity Series" aimed at educating them about their alleged incorrect behavior.
While NYU believes these steps are in the best interest of the students, faculty, and protestors have voiced their opposition to what they perceive as a heavy-handed corrective approach. It remains to be seen whether watching The Simpsons will lead to any meaningful change among NYU protestors.
