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Does Alan Dershowitz currently teach classes at Harvard? Or is he some sort of professor emeritus?

He (is bad at) teaching classes, but yes, he does.

elliej wrote:He (is bad at) teaching classes, but yes, he does.

I find that surprising. A few years ago he was solicited by Barnes and Nobles to record a set of lectures on the "trials of the century" on CD. The professors that BN chose for this series are typically known for being extremely engaging teachers (Harold Bloom, Peter Kreeft, Timothy Shutt). His set of lectures received very high reviews on Amazon and other sites.

What made it a bad class?

xela kebert wrote:

elliej wrote:He (is bad at) teaching classes, but yes, he does.

I find that surprising. A few years ago he was solicited by Barnes and Nobles to record a set of lectures on the "trials of the century" on CD. The professors that BN chose for this series are typically known for being extremely engaging teachers (Harold Bloom, Peter Kreeft, Timothy Shutt). His set of lectures received very high reviews on Amazon and other sites.

What made it a bad class?

I'm putting my bet in for "He's a self-centered douche."

I remember reading somewhere that he was always ready to "represent" any student of his if they were to find themselves in some troubles with the law.

Any credibility to that?

His brother is, or at least was, a highly respected federal criminal defense attorney in New York City.

dextermorgan wrote:

xela kebert wrote:

elliej wrote:He (is bad at) teaching classes, but yes, he does.

I find that surprising. A few years ago he was solicited by Barnes and Nobles to record a set of lectures on the "trials of the century" on CD. The professors that BN chose for this series are typically known for being extremely engaging teachers (Harold Bloom, Peter Kreeft, Timothy Shutt). His set of lectures received very high reviews on Amazon and other sites.

What made it a bad class?

I'm putting my bet in for "He's a self-centered douche."

Yes. No one learned criminal law, but we did learn all about the trials and tribulations of Being Alan Dershowitz.

I can't stand listening to him when he's on TV, having class with him would be terrible.

I hear if you bring crayons to the final and draw an Israeli flag for your answers you get an A+ though, so that would be a benefit.

Alan is the man. Probably one of the greatest if not THE greatest lawyers of the last half of the 20th century.

dextermorgan wrote:

xela kebert wrote:

elliej wrote:He (is bad at) teaching classes, but yes, he does.

I find that surprising. A few years ago he was solicited by Barnes and Nobles to record a set of lectures on the "trials of the century" on CD. The professors that BN chose for this series are typically known for being extremely engaging teachers (Harold Bloom, Peter Kreeft, Timothy Shutt). His set of lectures received very high reviews on Amazon and other sites.

What made it a bad class?

I'm putting my bet in for "He's a self-centered douche."

So what you're saying is that he has the type of personality that...uhh...makes for a good lawyer?

MTal wrote:

dextermorgan wrote: I'm putting my bet in for "He's a self-centered douche."

So what you're saying is that he has the type of personality that...uhh...makes for a good lawyer?

yep ...and a terrible law professor.

Renzo wrote:

MTal wrote:

dextermorgan wrote: I'm putting my bet in for "He's a self-centered douche."

So what you're saying is that he has the type of personality that...uhh...makes for a good lawyer?

yep ...and a terrible law professor.

Maybe you haven't heard, but the field of law is rife with ummm...abrasive personalities. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

MTal wrote:

Renzo wrote:

MTal wrote:

dextermorgan wrote: I'm putting my bet in for "He's a self-centered douche."

So what you're saying is that he has the type of personality that...uhh...makes for a good lawyer?

yep ...and a terrible law professor.

Maybe you haven't heard, but the field of law is rife with ummm...abrasive personalities. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

My fireplace is in the den. Should I still avoid the kitchen?

MTal wrote:

Renzo wrote:

MTal wrote:

dextermorgan wrote: I'm putting my bet in for "He's a self-centered douche."

So what you're saying is that he has the type of personality that...uhh...makes for a good lawyer?

yep ...and a terrible law professor.

Maybe you haven't heard, but the field of law is rife with ummm...abrasive personalities. If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Is that why you dropped out?

I am an abrasive personality. It's one of the things that drew me to law school. But I have also had plenty of opportunity to lecture, and I know that telling everyone how great I am isn't the best pedagogical technique.

Great lawyer =/= great law professor.

MTal wrote:Alan is the man. Probably one of the greatest if not THE greatest lawyers of the last half of the 20th century.

avatar explains it all

nematoad wrote:

MTal wrote:Alan is the man. Probably one of the greatest if not THE greatest lawyers of the last half of the 20th century.

avatar explains it all

Only partially. Dersh was top of his class at yale law school, clerked for SC justice arthur goldberg, became the youngest tenured professor at Harvard in history, written many scholarly books and articles, defended (and won) hundreds of cases with many high profile clients, and the list goes on and on and on.

*

You do realize that being a brilliant student or a brilliant man in general does not translate into being a brilliant professor?

I've met plenty of brilliant people from my UG that are highly respected and incredibly knowledgeable...yet they aren't great professors.

whymeohgodno wrote:You do realize that being a brilliant student or a brilliant man in general does not translate into being a brilliant professor?

I've met plenty of brilliant people from my UG that are highly respected and incredibly knowledgeable...yet they aren't great professors.

Actually, to add on this, a lot of the most brilliant professors are often some of the worst i've had. People who can do something well sometimes just aren't able to come down to a level they need to teach it to students.

I respect anyone who can hold three billiards balls in his mouth.