Looking beyond "The Emperor's Club": Instilling a sense
of intellectualism among students by intertwining
knowledge and good moral values--a reflection

This article is based on a movie, 'The Emperor's Club' starring Kevin Kline (Professor William Hundert) and Emile Hirsh (Sedgewick Bell). It attempts to analyse some of the significant events in the movie that are worthy of reflection and emulation by teachers in higher learning institutions. It describes the main plots of the movie and their significance with regards to the cultivation of a sense of intellectualism intertwined with good moral values and knowledge of Western Civilisations. As teachers in higher learning institutions, we have a role to play as 'trainers of trained intellectuals'. This has been exemplified by Professor Hundert to his students. Professor Hundert believes that instilling good moral characters among students is vital for they will someday become intellectuals that serve for the betterment of society. Though he seems to be old fashioned and rigid, Professor Hundert has never failed to guide his students on how to become leaders of high integrity with strong moral character. This article invites further discussions and dialogues among teachers to rethink 'The Emperor's Club' and Professor Hundert's persona as a teacher of unimpeachable moral character and a trainer of future intellectuals. For those of critical minds, the article generates possible debates for the roles of morality, knowledge and intellectualism in higher learning institutions.