UChicago Professor to Teach on 'Zionist Settler Colonialism'

A University of Chicago professor, Alireza Doostdar, is set to teach a contentious course next semester that will explore themes of "Zionist settler colonialism" and "liberatory violence." This course comes at a time when anti-Semitic protests on U.S. college campuses have raised concerns about the influence of foreign entities, particularly Iran. Doostdar, who is a dual citizen of the United States and Iran, has publicly dismissed claims that Tehran is orchestrating these protests. The course syllabus, which has been reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon, outlines a focus on topics such as ethnic cleansing and apartheid, sparking debate over the appropriateness of the subject matter in an academic setting. Critics argue that the framing of these issues may contribute to a hostile environment for Jewish students on campus, especially given the professor's familial connections to Iranian espionage—his brother is a convicted spy. Doostdar's academic background in Islamic studies positions him as a significant figure in discussions surrounding Middle Eastern politics and social justice. However, his upcoming course has ignited discussions about the intersection of academia, political activism, and the potential for bias in educational environments. As universities grapple with free speech and the promotion of diverse viewpoints, the implications of this course will likely resonate beyond the classroom. The controversy surrounding Doostdar's course reflects broader tensions in U.S. higher education regarding the treatment of Israel and the Jewish community, as well as the role of international influences in shaping campus discourse.