I never had the pleasure of taking any one of Ted Cohen's classes, but I was fortunate enough to get plenty of exposure to him via the Latke-Hamantash debates at the University of Chicago, which Cohen so famously moderated. He was always funny, witty, and the life of just about every single event. I am sure …
Quote of the Day
Diane Herrmann, the co-director of Undergraduate Studies in Mathematics and a Senior Lecturer, described Sally as “a force of nature.” Herrmann worked with Sally as a teacher, mentor and then as a colleague for the past 30 years. “He was passionately interested in mathematical education at all levels,” said Herrmann, who with Sally co-founded the …
In Memoriam: Paul Sally
I didn't take Paul Sally's math class when I was an undergraduate. I wish I did; unlike most professors, Sally was clearly devoted to teaching first and foremost. A rare trait amongst academics (alas). Be sure to read this Q&A as well. The interviewer was Supriya Sinhababu, and the key passage, in my mind, is the following: …
The Intellectually and Morally Bankrupt Boycott of Israeli Universities
You know that the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions crowd--which is currently busy targeting academic freedom in Israel--doesn't have much of a leg to stand on when the best that they can do is cite the likes of Richard Falk for support: It appears no one told the American Studies Association that when attempting to fend off accusations …
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The Academic Boycott of Israel Is Going Nowhere
Every once in a while, academia gets it in its head to take a stand against Israel by trying to engage in an academic boycott of Israeli institutions. The fact that this kind of behavior only serves to stifle academic inquiry and freedom doesn't bother the boycotters; the only thing they are interested in is …
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In Memoriam: Ronald H. Coase
The great man lived for over a century, but as is the case with the passing of other great and productive minds, one feels as though the world did not have him for nearly as long as he was needed. Here is the University of Chicago Law School remembrance, which helps sum up his extraordinary legacy: …
Israeli-Chicagoan Cooperation
My onetime international relations professor and current friend, Charles Lipson , was kind enough to send me this story, which is worth highlighting:A research initiative between the University of Chicago and Israel’s Ben-Gurion University of the Negev enjoyed some rare political star power Sunday, as both Israeli President Shimon Peres and Mayor Rahm Emanuel attended a …
Pejman Yousefzadeh 