Although he is "confident," he wrote, that the concentration will fill in the gaps left by Adelson and Perlman's departure, he acknowledged some ill effects.

"These policies can, of course, can result in the unwanted expiry of an individual's appointment, and in the loss of a valued course from our curriculum."

But Adelson and Perlman say ESPP never formally informed them that this would be the last year for the class, although they say they understood the course had always been in a tenuous position due to their employment situation.

In addition, the lecturers say the University did not offer them any other positions within the college which might have allowed them to continue teaching their course.

"When we attempted to initiate a discussion about other non-tenure track appointments, we were told that those positions were not appropriate for us," Adelson says.

Rest, a member of the seminar, says he was puzzled by the decision not to keep Adelson and Perlman as teachers at the University.

"Glenn has gotten the Levinson and Phi Beta Kappa awards, the two teaching awards here," Rest said. "Dan has the Phi Beta Kappa. The University emphasizes multidisciplinary classes, small classes, and undergraduate teaching, and that's what this class is all about. It embodies those qualities so perfectly. Getting rid of these teachers is hypocritical."