Uriel at Tsinghua*(a few items of information)
Uriel Wittenberg (uw@urielw.com)
This webpage is a collection of materials originally prepared by Uriel for his students. See also Uriel's story of his time at Tsinghua: Uriel's Return to China
INDEX
Self-DescriptionThe United States is acclaimed by many, and reviled by many others, as the most influential and culturally hegemonic nation in today's world. My teaching generally focusses on selected readings that yield insights into American society. Through close textual study and analysis, my aim is to make you understand the readings as thoroughly as educated Americans do.The selected readings are interesting and well-written, typically drawn from top-quality news and information sources like the New York Times. I also target readings that reflect ideas and controversies in American society, or that develop your understanding of some of the fundamental flaws and looming dangers of the American social system; for example, the dependence of politicians on wealthy contributors; the corruption of news and education by commercial interests; and the pernicious influence of the media on young people and on the society at large. These worsening problems are probably best appreciated and most often deplored by commentators within the U.S. itself, but it would seem that only radical solutions are viable, and none is under serious consideration. I'm from Toronto but have spent years in the U.S., pursuing graduate studies in government policy analysis at Carnegie-Mellon University and working as a software developer on Wall St. in New York. I believe in and encourage dispassionate reasoning, critical thinking, logic, and debate. More information about me is available at http://urielw.com.
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