Academic Freedom in Higher Education Within a Conservative Sociopolitical Culture

Abstract

This paper examines the potential threat that a conservative sociopolitical culture poses to academic freedom in state colleges and universities. Already a number of states are considering legislation that would restrict professors' rights to discuss political issues within their classes, especially political issues having religious or moral implications. The proposed legislation would permit professors to discuss political issues substantively linked to the official subject matter of courses, but would limit professors' role in such discussion to one of political neutrality. The paper addresses the possibility of discussing controversial sociopolitical issues in college and university classes without alienating an institution's external support base.

Faculty perceptions of academic freedom at a GCC university

“…Rather, it is the ''freedom to pursue the scholarly profession, inside and outside the classroom, according to the norms and standards of that profession'' (Finkin and Post 2009, p. 149). Williams (2006) makes a sound argument that education at all levels must have a responsibility to society and some application to the greatest issues that the world faces:…”

“…The concern is that if the intellectuals in these institutions express their opinions and values, that could possibly create a ''moral or cultural panic'' challenging the delicate balance between academic freedom and Arab cultural values. However, we know that education cannot be apolitical, areligious and amoral unless universities and professors are willing to evade the important issues of our times (Williams 2006). This then leads to serious questions regarding the quality of higher education in the GCC states.…”

Enseñanza de 'temas controversiales' en la asignatura de historia y ciencias sociales desde la perspectiva de los profesores

“…Piensan que al hacerlo pueden ser acusados de enemigos de la sociedad, como sucedió durante la era de McCarthy (Bollinger, 2005 Cit. en Williams, 2006), y durante las dictaduras militares en América Latina (Toledo, Veneros y Magendzo, 2006). Entre los profesores existe temor al conflicto que se puede desatar con las autoridades cuando se manifiestan visiones diferentes de sociedad (Asimeng-Boahene, 2007).…”