Texas A&M University canceled a graduate ethics course three days after the semester began, saying Professor Leonard Bright did not provide enough information to let administrators determine if the course meets new standards for discussing race and gender.
Bright disputes that characterization.
The decision is distinct from earlier course changes at Texas A&M as the class had already met once before administrators canceled it.
In a schoolwide email explaining the decision Wednesday, Bush School Dean John Sherman said system policy required the cancellation because Bright declined repeated requests to provide information on his planned instruction. Without that, Sherman said, administrators could not comply with system policy that bars courses from advocating race or gender ideology or topics related to sexual orientation or gender identity.
Courses that venture into those topics require an exemption from top university officials. A university official said the deadline for department submissions is Friday, and the university expects to know before the Jan. 28 add-drop deadline how many courses will be canceled or changed under the policy.
In an interview with The Texas Tribune, Bright said he made clear that issues of race, gender and sexuality would arise throughout the course, rather than on specific days that he could share in advance.
“I told them it was going to come up every day,” Bright said. “During discussions, book reviews, case studies, throughout the course. There is no one day. That’s how this class works.”
According to the syllabus, Bright’s Ethics and Public Policy (PSAA 642) would examine how race, gender, religion, sexual orientation and other social identities shape public policy and the ethical responsibilities of public servants. Bright said he might share his perspectives on related issues and matters of public concern, but that students were not expected to agree with him.
One week of the course would have been devoted to equity and social justice in public administration, with readings about diversity, equity and inclusion; critical race theory; and John Rawls’ “A Theory of Justice.”