The Good Fight Jeannie Suk Gersen on the Importance of Due Process
Dec 11, 2021
In a thought-provoking conversation, Jeannie Suk Gersen, a Harvard Law professor and New Yorker contributor, discusses the vital role of due process in legal education. She argues that eroding this principle in favor of progress undermines fairness. The dialogue also highlights the importance of the Socratic method in promoting open debate, even as it navigates challenges of self-censorship among students. Gersen stresses the need for balancing free speech and due process to preserve a healthy academic environment.
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Socratic Method's Purpose
- The Socratic method fosters active learning through real-time engagement with ideas, unlike passive lectures.
- It encourages critical thinking by questioning students and prompting them to analyze information on the spot.
Gersen's Upbringing
- Jeannie Suk Gersen grew up in a household that discouraged speaking out loud or expressing dissenting opinions.
- This upbringing made her hesitant to participate in discussions, especially those involving disagreement.
Hierarchy in Classrooms
- Classrooms inherently have a hierarchy with the professor as the expert, regardless of the teaching method.
- The Socratic method, by encouraging student input, creates less hierarchy than traditional lectures where students passively listen.