No matter what you may think of McGowan's argument, the use of his book in a class does not equal acceptance or promotion of that argument. Especially in a graduate seminar, the book will get a critical examination.
Oh, and then there's the whole freedom of thought thing. These students have every right to consider this book and be persuaded by its argument if they so choose. It's called academic freedom. It's called freedom of association. It's called freedom of speech.
Amen to that.
