Alternate readings for Liberty Forum Book Club
Conservative or Critical Perspectives (arguing indoctrination is a real issue):
Liberal Education’s Antidote to Indoctrination (Heritage Foundation, 2023): Distinguishes true liberal education (open inquiry into great ideas) from indoctrination (dogmatic ideological training), blaming modern campuses for the latter while proposing classical alternatives. Link: https://www.heritage.org/education/report/liberal-educations-antidote-indoctrination
Education or Indoctrination? (AEI, 2022): Explores the blurry line between education and left-wing indoctrination, critiquing campus orthodoxy while suggesting practical reforms like new institutions free of bias. Link: https://www.aei.org/op-eds/education-or-indoctrination/
Indoctrination Is Not Education (Minding the Campus, 2023): Argues indoctrination prioritizes obedience over critical thinking, citing examples from public schools and campuses, and calls for parents to push back. Link: https://www.mindingthecampus.org/2023/08/03/indoctrination-is-not-education/
Defenses or Skeptical Views (arguing indoctrination claims are overstated or mythical):
We Couldn't Indoctrinate Students If We Wanted To (Inside Higher Ed, 2023): A professor explains why limited class time and diverse influences make systematic indoctrination impossible, even if faculty leaned left. Link: https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2023/07/18/we-couldnt-indoctrinate-students-if-we-wanted-opinion
‘Leftist Indoctrination’ Is Not Occurring in Higher Ed (Heterodox Academy, undated but recent): Admits campuses are left-leaning but argues perceptions of indoctrination stem from structural biases, not deliberate brainwashing; students resist change more than assumed. Link: https://heterodoxacademy.org/blog/concerns-about-leftist-indoctrination-in-higher-ed-are-inaccurate-but-this-doesnt-make-them-unreasonable/
Academics Fact-Check Pervasive Idea That Liberal Academics Indoctrinate Their Students (Inside Higher Ed, 2016, still widely cited): Reviews research showing no evidence of widespread indoctrination, despite faculty liberalism; students' views shift minimally. Link: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/07/25/academics-fact-check-pervasive-idea-liberal-academics-indoctrinate-their-students
More Balanced or Nuanced Analyses (acknowledging both sides):
What Is 'Indoctrination,' Anyway? (The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2024/2025 update): Defines indoctrination vs. education, critiques conservative attacks as distorted but urges campuses to address real issues like ideological echo chambers. Link: https://www.chronicle.com/article/what-is-indoctrination-anyway
Education and Indoctrination (The Point Magazine, 2022): Historical overview of indoctrination accusations in U.S. schools/colleges, noting they're often weaponized in culture wars but sometimes valid when critical thinking is stifled. Link: https://thepointmag.com/politics/education-and-indoctrination/
Yes, Campus Indoctrination Is Real (National Association of Scholars, response to skeptics): Counters claims that fears are overblown, citing evidence of progressive ideological shifts in students via surveys and campus culture. Link: https://www.nas.org/blogs/article/yes_campus_indoctrination_is_real