This time in the Arts section, with a review of Michael Sandel’s “Justice” course, filmed for television.

….what is new about Harvard’s venture, more than five years in the making, is that it is the first time that public broadcasters can remember a regular college course’s being presented on television. What’s more, it is also a highly produced multimedia event, with high-definition video, interactive Webcasts, podcasts, a new book and a speaking tour.

“We looked at what other universities had done and realized that they didn’t have the full classroom experience,” said Mr. Sandel…

I wonder what impact filming has on the nature of a course in terms of the way students and professor change their behavior due to their awareness of being filmed. Does it make everyone a ham? Or does it put everyone on their best behavior?

Meanwhile, Harvard’s PR people have had a terrific week, with pieces in the Times about Bill Fitzsimmons and Harvard admissions, about Drew Faust and Harvard’s organic grass, about Sandel. (I’m sure there’s more.)

This is terrific press for Harvard, in that it has nothing to do with Larry Summers, budget deficits, Allston, murder, drugs, etc.

The Times, on the other hand, ought to be a little embarrassed.