The Pope Foundation Proves its Ineptitude

According to Under the Dome, The Pope Foundation is out with another one of its "studies" criticizing American higher education for failing to study enough of what Pope determines to be important.

This time, they are correct, though not in the way they intend. The report proves that the scientific method and investigative report writing need to be taught to legions of conservative thinktank denizens.

This report indicts several North Carolina universities and colleges, including my Alma Mater, Davidson College, for failing to "require" study of Shakespeare in English departments. It bases the determination of what is required on a review of the colleges' course selection guidebooks websites and "follow up calls" to faculty.

How much money did Pope pay for such amateurish ridiculousness?

Want proof of how limited and sloppy the purported "method" of this survey is?

How's this? During the time it was determined by the Pope Foundation to be inadequately focusing on the works of William Shakespeare, Davidson College twice hosted as artists in residence . . . wait for it . . . The Royal Shakespeare Company. In fact, the Company is in residence at Davidson from 2005-2008.

While I understand such a unique and vital link between Shakespeare and modern education might have been missed from looking at course catalogues, I will be happy to provide a link so that our intrepid "researchers" from the Pope Foundation don't miss it next time.

Here are the details on this exciting program at America's leading liberal arts college: RSC & Davidson and a review of the hugely successful residency in 2002:

http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/5166/5166_press.html

The residency has presented Davidson students, professors, and the general public throughout the area with unparalleled educational opportunities. Actors, educational staff, and technicians from the troupe are presenting more than 50 workshops during the residency. They are making presentations to Davidson College classes in literature, drama, psychology, and even chemistry. They are also teaching public school teachers, young school children, and senior citizens about Shakespeare and dramatic technique. There are sessions on voice and movement, lighting and design, panel discussions of Semitism and feminism, and master classes on Shakespeare's sonnets by renowned scholar John Barton.

Davidson attracted these foremost interpreters of Shakespeare to its campus by proposing an educational program that would allow actors to be teachers as well, and help fulfill the Royal Shakespeare Company's increasing emphasis on public outreach. The company was also lured by the opportunity to inaugurate the stage of Davidson's brand-new Duke Family Performance Hall, a 625-seat, state of the art performing arts facility which is the finest venue of its kind in the rapidly growing area north of Charlotte. Funded by The Duke Endowment, it includes a 60-foot wide by 60-foot deep stage, full height stagehouse, retractable orchestra pit, state-of-the-art sound and light technology, and three levels of seating.

The RSC performed "The Merchant of Venice" in its London and Stratford-upon-Avon home theaters, and in smaller towns throughout England, before coming to Davidson. Following its concluding performance at Davidson College on March 2, the play will travel back to England, and then on to Japan, China, Shanghai, and Malaysia.

There. I hope we can all just stop listening to those idiots from The Pope Foundation fo awhile. If you want to block them out, I invite you to travel down I-77 and take in the world's greatest performances of Shakespeare.

While you're there, you can also check out Stephen Curry, Coach McKillop and the pre-season 18th ranked Wildcat Men's Basketball team.