Holly V. Hays

holly.hays@indystar.com

Butler University said it is reviewing its course description practices after it received backlash for a fall 2017 course offering that focused on the election of President Donald Trump.

The class, a one-time special topics course scheduled, is called "Trumpism & U.S. Democracy." Its course description received attention after it characterized the president as “perpetuating sexism, white supremacy, xenophobia, nationalism, nativism, and imperialism," the Washington Times reported. That description has since been removed.

The school released a statement Thursday saying it will be reviewing its practice of accepting preliminary course descriptions for these classes.

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"The faculty member has provided an updated course description that clarifies that students will be looking at the rise of President Trump as a political and social phenomenon and are not required to participate in activism," the university said in a statement posted on its Facebook page. "The University will review its practice of accepting preliminary course descriptions for Special Topics classes.

"Like all universities, Butler University values academic freedom and the liberties this affords its faculty members. At the same time, Butler strives to be a hospitable forum for the civil exchange of ideas."

Butler parents, students and alumni took to social media Thursday in response to the course offering, with some expressing their frustration with the course and others applauding it.

"Embarrassed," one woman wrote in response to the university's statement. "Seriously hope my university doesn't start pandering to this political nonsense in our universities. Always thought we were classier and an example for neutrality."

Others offered messages of support.

"I sent both of my kids there and couldn't be prouder," another wrote. "Good job Butler!"

A university spokesman said special topics courses are approved by the university's curriculum committee, but preliminary course descriptions are not. Those course descriptions are submitted to the registrar by the department chair and the description is subject to change by the instructor as the course is further developed.

The apparently updated course description, posted to the school's website, describes the class as offering a "broad historical, political, and critical communication studies approach to understanding the rise of Donald Trump as a political and social phenomenon."

The course will allow students to attend campus and community events as "participant observers" and will require students to study historical and current texts as well as excerpts from Trump's "The Art of the Deal."

In a letter to students, Provost Kathryn Morris said the university had heard concerns that the class was perceived as critical of the president and that it required students to participate in forms of resistance against the president. Concerns that the course would be critical, she wrote, is an issue of academic freedom. However, the perception that students would be required to participate in activism is "problematic."

"The University would not require a student to support or oppose a particular political figure or agenda," Morris wrote. "The professor has been very transparent about the goals of the course and has provided additional context that clarifies students in the class will not be required to participate in a particular form of activism."

As of Thursday afternoon, enrollment for the class was full, according to university course listings.

Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. Follow her on Twitter: @hollyvhays.