IVY LEAGUE INQUIRY: Dr. Chris Robichaud '92 of Harvard University discusses the ethics of superheroes with senior Allie Beth Currier (right) as classmates Elise Cousens and Vivian Ha listen. Dr. Robichaud was a guest presenter in Ms. Victoria Frabotta's Heroes in Literature class this week.
Harvard lecturer returns home as guest teacher
Harvard University's classes may be virtual this month because of COVID-19, but a member of its faculty was teaching live and in-person at NDCL on Thursday.
Dr. Christopher Robichaud '92 returned to his alma mater to teach a lesson on the ethics of superheroes in English Department Chairperson Ms. Victoria Frabotta's Heroes in Literature class. Dr. Robichaud is a senior lecturer in ethics and public policy at Harvard's Kennedy School of Business. He is also Director of Pedagogical Innovation at the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics.
In preparation for Dr. Robichaud's visit, students read his article entitled “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility: On the Moral Duties of the Super-Powerful and Super-Heroic.” The article provided context for the class's discussion of ethical dilemmas in clips from popular superhero movie
While acknowledging that students are not superheroes, Dr. Robichaud stressed that they are or will one day be in positions of power to affect people
"What happens when you take on the role or put on the costume or uniform [of power, authority, and influence]?" he challenged the class. He emphasized that individuals are responsible for holding on to their moral principles when they are in positions of power and authority so that they do what is best for—and with—others.
Ms. Frabotta's Heroes in Literature class is one of the 15 College Credit Plus courses offered at NDCL. This year alone, 254 of our students are taking 2,510 college credit hours, saving their families a staggering $1.5 million in college tuition.