A recent documentary film, The Last Class, chronicling Robert Reich’s concluding semester as a professor at UC Berkeley, has emerged as a surprising box office success, grossing $700,000 despite a limited release. Directed by Elliot Kirschner, this film captures the final chapter of Reich’s remarkable 42-year career, centering on his popular ‘Wealth and Poverty’ course.
An accomplished economist and former US Labour Secretary under President Bill Clinton, Reich also advised President Barack Obama and served in the Ford administration. The documentary, as reported by Sfgate, beautifully showcases his distinctive classroom style and his profound influence on both education and economics.
A Professor’s Final Semester
The film opens with an endearing scene: Reich engaging warmly with students on the UC Berkeley campus, taking selfies, and even signing a fan’s sneaker. His evident popularity highlights his stature as a cherished campus figure. “I’ve been a professor, a teacher, for 42 years. I’ve done a lot of other things, but I’ve always come back to teaching. That’s been my home,” Reich shares early in the film, as quoted by Sfgate.
Reich’s decision to conclude his teaching career in 2023 followed careful consideration of his ability to maintain his high performance standards. Though he avoids the term “retirement,” he opted to finish this chapter of his life while still fully immersed in his passion. The documentary brilliantly captures his dynamic teaching approach, showing him meticulously observing student reactions and employing interactive methods to illuminate complex subjects like wealth disparity.
Teaching at a Public University
Reich draws a clear distinction between his teaching experiences at UC Berkeley and his previous role at Harvard. He commends Berkeley’s public university environment for its diverse student body, noting that these students come from a broader range of socioeconomic backgrounds and tend to exhibit less entitlement than their private university counterparts, as detailed by Sfgate.
The 71-minute film weaves together classroom moments that evoke a sense of university nostalgia, purposefully steering clear of dense economic theory. Instead, it underscores Reich’s humanity and his unwavering dedication to education as a pillar of democracy. He consistently emphasizes teaching students *how* to think critically, rather than *what* to think.
Legacy Beyond Government Service
Beyond his academic contributions, Reich is widely recognized for his government service and as a prominent media commentator on economic issues. He co-founded Inequality Media Civic Action, an educational economics nonprofit, and has authored several best-selling books, including The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It, as reported by Sfgate.
Despite his illustrious career, the documentary suggests that Reich’s teaching is arguably the most defining aspect of his legacy. Both current UC Berkeley students and alumni will undoubtedly feel the void left by his departure from the lecture hall. The Last Class not only marks the end of a distinguished academic journey but also prompts deeper questions about the pivotal role of public universities in shaping minds across diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. The film’s unexpected commercial success underscores a widespread public interest in the profound importance of education and its societal impact.
Public Versus Private: A Question of Impact
Reich thoughtfully reflects on his experiences teaching at both private and public institutions, highlighting a stark contrast in student demographics. As per Sfgate, he extols UC Berkeley’s public university setting for fostering diversity and a reduced sense of entitlement among its students, in comparison to his earlier tenure at Harvard. While the documentary effectively brings this distinction to light, it thoughtfully leaves open the broader, more nuanced question of whether teaching within public universities ultimately cultivates a more profound or enduring societal impact.