R A N C O U R T

Currently in production: R A N C O U R T - a documentary about fired University of Ottawa physics professor, Denis Rancourt.

The documentary chronicles Rancourt's battle with the university over academic freedom.

In this scene Rancourt is in physics class doing what the University of Ottawa fired him for.

Look for more video samples and production updates on YouTube and on MySpace as the shooting of
R A N C O U R T unfolds.

The latest developments on the Rancourt case can be found here: http://www.academicfreedom.ca/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Denis
• Rancourt
• academic
• freedom
• critical
• pedagogy
• University
• of
• Ottawa
• anarchism
• activism
• post-secondary
• education

[bbarbulo]

a fantastic initiative cut down by bureaucratic short-sightedness. the benefits of this type of learning environment are immesurable; sure there will be a few rogues who would take advantage and choose to remain unenlightened, but the students who take advantage of this learning opportunity would emerge innovative machines who would lead the way in breakthrough ideas. i trust someone out there will recognize this, Rancourt is probably just ahead of his time at this point.

my support,

B

[hungsolow123]

I agree that sit-down timed exams are a horrible way to be tested. I say do away with graded timed exams. However, graded projects, labs, reports and assignments are critical for (1) motivation to learn, (2) preparation for future work, (3) recognition of your own progress within the course, (4) develop work that will be critically analyzed and thus graded. If someone cannot properly formulate their thoughts and coherently write them down - they shouldn't be allowed to continue in their studies.

[BWCmike]

fired for teaching instead of assigning material to memorize

[DenisRancourt]

For more explanations about the political and pedagogical context please see the YouTube video "Denis Rancourt" by TVO (user: AgendaStevePaikin).

For detailed background information about the academic struggle behind the scenes see the web site rancourt [dot] academicfreedom [dot] ca.

[aerobique]

CLIMATE DENIER! :D He "works" together with with marc morono. Corporate mercenaries....

[Wottevane]

Grades lead to measurable economic compensation for the University as a business. Without these grades, universities are left without a clear mechanism to earn money, like a piece of art that cannot be auctioned because it defies the physical laws that, for art as a business, allow a piece of art to be worth millions of dollars. It thus defies the true meaning of education and art altogether. it is not bureaucracy that is afraid of Denis, it is businessmen who need Denis to shut up.

[revjimign]

@hungsolow123

- Generalized Natural selection grades in the real world. No graders needed.

[revjimign]

- Generalized Natural selection grades in the real world. No graders needed.

[hungsolow123]

I'm curious about the following:

- How do students know whether they're actually understanding the course material sans grading?

- How are students prepared for the real world, where they have to write reports, solve problems and perform experiments that require someone to validate their methods and thus perform what is equivalent to grading on their work?

[DNASHID]

Of course the powers that be put a stop to this. If everyone could/would think for themselves exploitation would no longer exist.