FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 17, 2007

Kathleen McPartland
530-898-4260
Andrew Flescher
Religious Studies
530-898-5534

President Zingg to Co-teach Honors Class
on the American University: Visitors Welcomed

President Paul Zingg will co-teach an honors class, "The American University: Purpose, Promise and Politics" with Religious Studies Professor Andrew Flescher, during the spring 2007 semester at California State University, Chico. The course will provide an opportunity for members of the community and the University to sit in on the classes that interest them.

The course will answer key questions about the American University as they apply to CSU, Chico: What are we all supposed to be doing here on a university campus? What are our aims and purposes? How do we balance the demands of teaching, research and service?

"I have taught a class similar to this previously, both at the University of Pennsylvania and Cal Poly, and it was very successful," said Zingg. "So, I'm eager to get back into the classroom with a topic that is both familiar and always current."

It was quite common years ago for the president of a college or university to teach a course, said Zingg, as a capstone experience for the graduating seniors. That tradition has mostly disappeared, but some presidents still teach a course occasionally or offer guest lectures or presentations.

"I've offered guest lectures and presentations, but this will be my first full course since I've been at Chico State. I have a great partner for this in Andy, and we're expecting that this course will become a regular part of the University's curriculum. We have structured the course to allow for visitors to come and observe it. So I hope that will be the case."

"In this course, we will reflect on the challenge of academia to deliver on its promise to inform and serve its various constituents and stakeholders," said Flescher, who developed the course with Zingg.

Some of the topics that Zingg and Flescher will cover include roles and purposes in higher education in a democratic society; the history of higher education and the advent of the American university; university education and democracy; the values of civility, community, reason, respect and academic freedom; the role of religion on the university campus; and culture wars in the classroom.

The classes will be held on Thursday afternoons from 4 to 6:50 p.m. throughout the semester. If you are interested in visiting a class session, please contact Flescher at 530-898-5534.

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