I'm pretty sure the words "a modest proposal" indicate that he is aware this is not a realistic suggestion. But if an adventurous (and well-regarded) professor seriously proposed teaching such a course as an experiment, I am not sure it would be rejected out of hand at all universities. (IMO it would work better with more advanced students than freshmen--they need to be preacquainted with the academic style of reading and arguing.)
if an adventurous (and well-regarded) professor seriously proposed teaching such a course as an experiment, I am not sure it would be rejected out of hand at all universities
Probably no. Some universities would only fire him after the course. Assuming he would really bring some offensive material, instead of something harmless, such as... uh, something.
Actually, this is an interesting exercise:
Imagine that a university orders you to teach "discussing offensive topics", inspired by this article. But you also know that if someone gets really off...
From Julian Sanchez, a brilliant idea unlikely to be implemented: