The teaching fellow for this course, Bret D. Gustafson, said that he does not think either the advertisement or the recognition that the book may not be entirely true will affect the class' policy.
"It is still a valuable work," he said. "One cannot read it as The Truth in capitals, but just as you can read a historical novel to get a feel for a historical era, her novel can be used in this function."
According to Gustafson, what is worrisome about Menchu's exposure is that it might put into question the credibility of other witnesses to the crises in Guatemala.
He said he doubts this, however, since an independent truth commission has just released a report showing that the majority of deaths were Mayan, and that these offenses were usually perpetrated by the Guatemalan army.
Professor of Anthropology Kay B. Warren agreed.
"The report makes a series of strong empirical cases. I think the report preempts any need for single accounts," she said.