2008 Woodie Awards
Academic Freedom?
Academic freedom at what cost? One writers reaction.
Jami Furo
Issue date: 4/22/05 Section: Opinions
- Page 1 of 1
A bill is going through the Ohio Senate called the "Academic Freedom Bill." The bill's intentions are noble enough. It states that students should not be discriminated against by their professors because of their political beliefs. I agree. Sounds great.
However, one facet of the bill is causing quite a stir. One part of the Academic Bill of Rights guarantees "freedom from the persistent introduction of controversial matter into the coursework that has no bearing on the subject at hand." In other words, it does not allow professors to discuss controversial subjects that are "irrelevant" to the subject of the course.
What?
Who is the government to decide what can and cannot be discussed in a classroom? The bill is intended to promote academic freedom, but if it limits the subjects that can be discussed in a classroom, how free is that?
Dictators decide what subjects should be taught in the classrooms throughout their nation. We live in a nation founded on the principles of liberty and justice. We value freedom of speech as the first amendment of our Constitution. Do you notice a pattern?
We enjoy our freedom. Americans will defend to the death their right to express themselves. So how can we support a bill that dictates what professors can or cannot say in their own classrooms? Since when does the government know more than educators about what is best for their students?
What is so wrong about discussing controversial subjects in a classroom, anyway? Students learn by hearing different viewpoints and by being about to express their viewpoints.
The professor should not discriminate against a student for their beliefs, of course. However, when students hear perspectives different from their own, it causes them to think about what they believe, and they form their own opinions.
After forming their own opinions, students learn to defend those opinions to their professors and classmates. They learn more about their own stances, and they gain confidence in standing up to their professors and peers.
These types of classes have always been my favorite kind. I love being in a classroom with a professor and students that disagree with me. I love to discuss subjects that have us so riled that after class is over we are still arguing. I love hitting the hard subjects. I love the challenge. I love the opportunity to talk to a room full of people that have different beliefs than I do. I love how we can engage in an intense academic debate and still respect each other in the end regardless of whether or not we agree with each other.
What is next if this bill passes? Am I not allowed to write this column anymore because it's "controversial?" We cannot be restricted to only the comfortable subjects in a classroom. We are more than that. We deserve the opportunity to express our viewpoints in our classrooms. And that, my friends, is what academic freedom is truly about.
However, one facet of the bill is causing quite a stir. One part of the Academic Bill of Rights guarantees "freedom from the persistent introduction of controversial matter into the coursework that has no bearing on the subject at hand." In other words, it does not allow professors to discuss controversial subjects that are "irrelevant" to the subject of the course.
What?
Who is the government to decide what can and cannot be discussed in a classroom? The bill is intended to promote academic freedom, but if it limits the subjects that can be discussed in a classroom, how free is that?
Dictators decide what subjects should be taught in the classrooms throughout their nation. We live in a nation founded on the principles of liberty and justice. We value freedom of speech as the first amendment of our Constitution. Do you notice a pattern?
We enjoy our freedom. Americans will defend to the death their right to express themselves. So how can we support a bill that dictates what professors can or cannot say in their own classrooms? Since when does the government know more than educators about what is best for their students?
What is so wrong about discussing controversial subjects in a classroom, anyway? Students learn by hearing different viewpoints and by being about to express their viewpoints.
The professor should not discriminate against a student for their beliefs, of course. However, when students hear perspectives different from their own, it causes them to think about what they believe, and they form their own opinions.
After forming their own opinions, students learn to defend those opinions to their professors and classmates. They learn more about their own stances, and they gain confidence in standing up to their professors and peers.
These types of classes have always been my favorite kind. I love being in a classroom with a professor and students that disagree with me. I love to discuss subjects that have us so riled that after class is over we are still arguing. I love hitting the hard subjects. I love the challenge. I love the opportunity to talk to a room full of people that have different beliefs than I do. I love how we can engage in an intense academic debate and still respect each other in the end regardless of whether or not we agree with each other.
What is next if this bill passes? Am I not allowed to write this column anymore because it's "controversial?" We cannot be restricted to only the comfortable subjects in a classroom. We are more than that. We deserve the opportunity to express our viewpoints in our classrooms. And that, my friends, is what academic freedom is truly about.