Pursuing Academic Freedom: "Free and Fearless"? - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1895830184 ISBN 13: 9781895830187

Publisher: Purich Publishing, 2001

Synopsis

Academic freedom suggests the ability to investigate and openly discuss all topics and ideas, even those which may seem irrelevant, controversial, or even dangerous. However, academic freedom often means something quite different in practice. This discrepancy between theory and reality is the subject of this book, and is explored in a wide range of examples and analyses. This collection of essays begins with a detailed examination of the history of academic freedom, then explores the complexities of its practice in different institutional settings, and outlines some of the most difficult challenges it currently faces. Specific issues addressed include: the ability of corporate donors and partners to dictate the academic agenda; 'political correctness'; the influence of academic administrative styles and managerial priorities; the necessity of unionization and/or tenure; the limited acceptance and protection of gay and lesbian teachers and researchers; the conflict between individualist and community values experienced by Aboriginal academics; and whether academic freedom should be enjoyed by sessional lecturers, students, and public school teachers as well as university faculty. These and related matters are explored in the contexts of public school and university, government policy on data management, library needs and resources, and historical and contemporary philosophies of education. Some of the essays also confront public perceptions of academic freedom and tenure, and the role of the media in creating these perceptions. Academic freedom continues to hit the headlines regularly, for reasons candidly but carefully explored in these essays.

About this title

About the Author

Len Findlay is a professor of English and director of the Humanities Research Unit at the University of Saskatchewan. A former Vice-President (External Communications) of the Humanities and Social Sciences Federation of Canada and postsecondary policy analyst on universities for government, he has published numerous essays on academic disciplines and on the nature of the university. Paul Bidwell is Chair of the Department of English at the University of Saskatchewan. A specialist in Modern British Literature, he also has wide experience in developing institution-wide academic agendas and a strong interest in academic governance. Contributors: Marie Battiste, Indian and Northern Education Program, University of Saskatchewan Ernie Boyko, Statistics Canada Marvin Brown, Psychology, University of Saskatchewan Paul Clarke, Education, University of Regina John Courtney, Political Studies, University of Saskatchewan Victor Dwyer, formerly of Maclean's Linda Fritz, Library, University of Saskatchewan Jackie Heslop, English, University of Victoria Michiel Horne, History, York University Bruce MacDougall, Law, University of British Columbia Peter MacKinnon, President, University of Saskatchewan Dawne McCance, Religious Studies, University of Manitoba Susan Vincent, Anthropology, University of New Brunswick Lyle Vinish, Saskatchewan Teachers Federation Stephen Ward, Journalism, University of British Columbia Wendy Watkins, Library, Carleton University Howard Woodhouse, Educational Foundations, University of Saskatchewan Shelley Wright, Law, University of Sydney Jerry Zaslove, English, Simon Fraser University

About this edition

• Publisher: Purich Publishing
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1895830184
• ISBN 13: 9781895830187
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 248
• Editor: Findlay Len, Bidwell Paul