UC Problem: When Academics are Advocates

   The article begins with a thesis statement, " Political advocacy corrupts academic institutions." The problem that he identifies is that in California the Constitution states that: " The university shall be entirely independent of all political or secretarial influence and kept free therefrom." Despite the state Constitution the basis to the left is now accepted as a routine part of University of California education. He assumes his readers are Republicans by negative connotations directed toward liberal thinking. His purpose seems to bring awareness of the state of higher education in his country by using the University of California. The writer appeals mainly to logic by stating how Democrats outnumber Republicans in the faculty of University of California. He also states because of the mindset of the faculty members, students graduate college without knowing how to reason, write, or read complex material. He doesn't address any arguments against his thesis. Finally, he concludes by making the point that radical activism has replaced academic knowledge in campus classrooms. The politicized university is an intellectually bankrupt one. Overall, the argument that is presented in this article is ineffective because the writer is using facts from one university and making broad generalization I agree that political views should be kept out of the curriculum of academia, but I know the University of California is extremely liberal colleges. That being said, individuals with the same thinking will be attracted to University of California. College is a place for individual to expand their minds, learn to think, and find their passion.