First Officer reports being assigned a heading of right to 310 degrees while currently on 320 assigned heading. When questioned the clearance was repeated by the N90 Controller. Half way through the turn a different Controller issued a new clearance essentially canceling the first.

Narrative

We were on the BOUNO arrival into HPN when were were given vectors to HPN. While on a 320 assigned heading; ATC said 'turn right to heading 310'. I responded 'Turn left to heading 310?' ATC responded; 'Turn RIGHT heading 310; RIGHT HEADING 310.' I replied; 'Right heading 310.' We started our right turn to 310 at 4000 FT. The pilot flying made a comment that the next controller probably couldn't take the hand off; as to why we were given an almost 360 degree turn. About halfway into our turn a supervisor from ATC came on the frequency and in an elevated voice said to turn back left to our fix we were flight planned to and descend NOW to 3000 FT. Then went on to tell a conflicting aircraft to make a turn and climb to 5000 FT. The pilot flying clicked off the autopilot and completed the instructions of the Controller. There were no TA's or RA's and we continued on to HPN from there with no other issues other than the supervisor using our wrong call sign a few times before we were handed off to approach control. The pilot flying responded to me that I was right when I responded to the Controller 'Turn left to heading 310?' questioning the direction of the turn he gave us. The remaining phases of flight were normal. In hindsight; I wish I would have further questioned the Controller when he was making us do an almost 360 degree turn and was he sure that is what he wanted us to do? But he was stern in his instruction to us to 'Turn RIGHT to heading 310' when I first questioned it. If you are given a turn by ATC that is excessive and he is not telling you why; question his intentions. In our case an almost 360 degree turn with no explanation after questioning his first instruction. It could have been a newer controller and it seems like there are a lot of them these days.