Centre News
Professor Ken Keffer proposes the teaching of French be abolished
January 13, 2011
Dr. Ken Keffer (above, with Centre students Hannah Brooks,Savanna Norrod and Chelsea Apple during an outing in
Strasbourg, France) was recently honored as the 2010 Kentucky
Professor of the Year.
Since coming to Centre in 1979, Ken Keffer, H.W. Stodghill Jr. and Adele H. Stodgill Professor of French and German, has earned a reputation as one of the College’s most imaginative, eloquent and unpredictable teachers.
His signature course, “The Art of Walking,” has become nothing less than…famous. Among many other venues, it has been featured in Reader’s Digest, on NBC’s Today show and even as an answer on Jeopardy!
In addition, two months ago, Keffer was named the 2010 Kentucky Professor of the Year by The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
And now, this acclaimed teacher of foreign languages has in a published essay argued that French programs should be eliminated.
Can it be true? In Keffer’s own words: “As a teacher of the language of Voltaire, I can attest from personal experience that French programs are dangerous and ineffective. Here are two reasons why they should be abolished for the good of American youth.”
If Voltaire is to go, can Montaigne and Pascal be far behind?
To read Keffer’s “modest proposal” in its entirety, click here.
Have comments, suggestions, or story ideas? E-mail Leigh Cocanougher with your feedback.
Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Forbes magazine ranks Centre 24th among all the nation's colleges and universities and has named Centre No. 1 among all institutions of higher education in the South for two years in a row. Consumers Digest ranks Centre No. 1 in educational value among all U.S. liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, click here.