What data did you collect?
In this section, I will be analyzing the hiring of Arthur C. Brooks as the first McKeen visiting fellow. On April 9, 2019, Bowdoin created a new position called the McKeen Visiting Fellow, who will be visiting campus two days a semester for formal talks, meetings with students and faculty, and class visits. There was controversy regarding his hiring because of his conservative background and because no student input was utilized in the hiring process. Furthermore, there existed no McKeen Visiting Fellow before Brooks, meaning that this position was created specifically for him.
What is your initial impression of the data?
Mr. Brooks also has a documentary coming out called “The Pursuit”, to which he explores different parts of America and has conversations with people about the state of the country. In the trailer he advocates for capitalism and its merits, particularly how it lifted countries out of poverty in the first place. In his book, “The Road to Freedom: How to Win the Fight for Free Enterprise, Brooks argues that American market thrives with a limited government, the moral imperative of free enterprise, and for a resurgence of the entrepreneurial spirit, belief in equal opportunity and self reliance. No doubt, his books and his upcoming documentary are neoliberal. Bowdoin’s official page states that “McKeen Visiting Fellows will be appointed periodically to broaden the College’s exploration of the common good.” By hiring him as the new McKeen fellow, I believe that the college is re-shaping the Common Good through a neoliberal lens. No doubt, Mr. Brooks is an influencer for Bowdoin, both influencing Bowdoin through bringing his neoliberal ideologies and promoting the product that is the Bowdoin education to the public by the use of his name brand.
How have the data you have collected this week changed/progressed your thinking about your research project?
The data this week has provided me with another concrete example of a Bowdoin “influencer”, who brings with him neoliberal ideas and arguments. This has helped me understand the “behind the scenes” moves that Bowdoin makes, particularly, because the hiring of Brooks was so out of the blue, without student or faculty voice, and with a newly created position. Particularly about this newly created position, Brooks is able to present his books, findings, and research to the Bowdoin community.
What challenges did you have when collecting the data?
I had trouble finding free PDFs of Brooks’s books because I wanted to understand what he was arguing and because I did not want to financially support him and his cause.
What are your next steps?
Now, I will turn away from influencers in the form of alumni and visiting fellow and turn towards the Bowdoin social media platforms.
2-3 Annotations
Brooks, Arthur (2019) “The Pursuit” Documentary, retrieved from his twitter: https://twitter.com/arthurbrooks/status/1125755173371088897
Brooks, Arthur C. (2011) The Battle: How the Fight Between FREE ENTERPRISE And BIG GOVERNMENT Will Shape America’s Future, Basic Books,
Bowdoin News: Arthur C. Brooks Named as Bowdoin’s First McKeen Visiting Fellow (Published 4/9/2019) Retrieved from: https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2019/04/arthur-brooks-named-first-mckeen-visiting-fellow.html