2017-2018 Common Read Learning Activites

For background on Mitchell Goodman, Chair of Ideas at Mankato State College, read the following sections in Out of Chaos: 

1. David Cowan  (pp. 65-68)
2. Don Strasser  (pp. 158-163)
3. David Phelps  (pp. 106-119)

A.  According to Don Strasser on page 161 who was Mitchell Goodman and how did he get to Mankato State College?

B.  In the above article from the May 4, 1972 issue of the Daily Reporter, what was the conflict between Mitchell Goodman and many of the faculty at Mankato State College? (Article may take a minute or two to load.)

1. Do you think faculty were right to be upset with Mitchell Goodman?  Why or why not?
2. How do you think you would respond if someone wanted you to change the way you were doing your job?

C.  According to David Phelps' segment of Out of Chaos:

1. What role did Mitchell Goodman play in the protests on campus?
2. What was the Mankato community's reaction to Goodman? 
3. Why did Goodman meet with President Nickerson on Saturday, May 13, 1972?
4. When Mitchell Goodman left the Mankato State Campus what did he have to say about his time there?

D.  Read the above link to Mitchell Goodman's obituary from 1997. 

1. How did prosecutors describe Goodman?
2. How was Goodman drawn into the anti-Vietnam War movement?
3. What event was Goodman involved in that spurred mass protest rallies nationwide?  
4. Where did Goodman meet his second wife? 

E.  In the above article from the April 7, 1971 Daily Reporter an overview is given on the Chair of Ideas position at Mankato State College. (Article may take a minute or two to load.)

1. What is the Chair of Ideas and who originated the idea on the MSC campus?
2. Who on campus gets to select the Chair of Ideas?  Is this unusual?  Please explain.
3. Who has a majority on the Chair of Ideas Board? 
4. What funds pay for the Chair of Ideas?

F.  If we had a Chair of Ideas on campus today, who would you like to bring to campus?  Please explain.