Author Archives: Timothy Burke

Something Norm Geras and I Agree On

Posted on September 20, 2006 by Timothy Burke

Read this post from Eddie Cross, who maintains a blog called Zimpundit, detailing the last week or so of political and economic turmoil in Zimbabwe. I’m often asked, “What’s going to happen next in Zimbabwe? Are things going to get … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa | 2 Comments

Quod Erat Demonstrandum

Posted on September 19, 2006 by Timothy Burke

Norm Geras complains about Tony Judt’s complaint about liberal supporters of the war in Iraq. And in so doing, does a pretty fair job of underscoring Judt’s analysis. Geras’ reply is a short, concise greatest hits parade of the argumentative … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 16 Comments

The Secret of My Success

Posted on September 18, 2006 by Timothy Burke

Some of you are asking, “Tim, is there some way I can be featured in Horowitzian jeremiads against insubstantial fluff courses, too?” It’s going to take a lot of work! Not every lightweight course can get a nod, because the … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia | 4 Comments

Two Quotes

Posted on September 16, 2006 by Timothy Burke

“What does that mean, ‘outrages upon human dignity?’ That’s a statement that is wide open to interpretation.” “It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.”

Posted in Politics | 6 Comments

Goof-Off Readings: Genesis; The Muqaddimah; The End of History and the Last Man; Guns, Germs and Steel

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Timothy Burke

Well, the Weekly Standard has tagged my course, The Whole Enchilada: Debates in World History, as a lightweight bit of fluff. Read the syllabus and decide for yourself. If they’d only be patient! The History of Play and Leisure is … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia | 13 Comments

TV Party Tonight!

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Timothy Burke

I was kind of surprised this week when a colleague of mine said that he simply doesn’t have time to deal with requests for independent study or directed readings. I mean, yes, they’re extra teaching on top of everything, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Popular Culture | 3 Comments

Unite and Lose?

Posted on September 15, 2006 by Timothy Burke

I’m on record as being a bit skeptical towards the argument that the territorial spread of mid to late 19th Century British and French imperialism was partly the consequence of a canny and deliberate application of a strategic doctrine to … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

Mistakes Were Made

Posted on September 12, 2006 by Timothy Burke

I’ve been trying to think this morning about famous speeches in which political leaders forthrightly or candidly acknowledge mistakes or miscalculations, accept responsibility for them, and then proceed to announce changes in personnel and policy designed to correct for those … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 8 Comments

Classes I Keep Thinking Of Teaching

Posted on September 8, 2006 by Timothy Burke

I don’t know how many folks use sketchy drafts of syllabi for possible or potential classes as a way to think about interesting issues. But it’s how I go about things, which is why I tend not to repeat my … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia | 30 Comments

Good Job

Posted on September 6, 2006 by Timothy Burke

I was glad to see that Swarthmore College’s president, Alfred Bloom, signed a letter from liberal arts colleges pushing for federal requirements for open-access publishing of federally-funded research. Now all the presidents signing that letter just need to take the … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia | 2 Comments