We read the letter by an alum (“Hampshire College makes national fool of itself,” Dec. 17) on his education at Hampshire College.
We regret that he did not take any courses with us or our colleagues where we went to great lengths to point out the complexities of American history and culture. We taught students to think critically, and emphasized the importance of evidence in constructing arguments and analysis.
Repeatedly, we insisted that students back up their opinions and ideologies with use of reliable sources. This was true whether they wanted to defend United States democratic institutions, point out their problems, or criticize their failings.
We like to think that this education contributed to their subsequent successes in the best graduate schools and in the professions.
Penina M. Glazer
Northampton
Miriam Slater
Easthampton
The writers are professors emerita of history at Hampshire College.