The Ethics of Academic Freedom
The Ethics of Academic Freedom
University of La Verne
EcBu 543
Ethics in Organizations And Society
Summer II
2005
Professor: Rita Thakur
The Ethics of Academic Freedom
"Don 't take too seriously the advice of people who supposedly know better than you do. As long as you are finding out things we didn 't know before, you are doing something right."
~Doreen Kimura
The quest for knowledge can be a wonderful thing. It can help to empower those that need confidence, and can also assist in daily tasks. It can also provide an individual the means to improve his or her lifestyle. But did you know that sometimes a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing? Truly dangerous if it is not respected and handled with care. And nowhere is that most apparent, than on the campuses and in the classrooms of this nations institutions of higher education.
Even on the most tolerant of campuses, there exist individuals who are opinionated, biased, and judgmental of others ' perspectives. That is to be expected. But what happens when the professors and educators (or those who have put themselves in the role as educator) have taken their freedoms for granted and base everything that they say has merit given his or her First Amendment right?
Academic Freedom
Academic Freedom exists. ."in order that society will have the benefit of honest judgment and independent criticism which might (otherwise) be withheld because of fear of offending a dominant social group or transient social attitude" (Kimura, 1993). It 's a regulation to help make sure that professors and students alike have a voice on campus.
The American Association of University Professors is "a national organization committed solely to college and university faculty members. It defends academic freedom and tenure, advocates collegial governance, and develops policies ensuring due process" (Sleboda,2004). They have been extremely vocal in the assurance of academic freedom in academe.
One
University of La Verne
EcBu 543
Ethics in Organizations And Society
Summer II
2005
Professor: Rita Thakur
The Ethics of Academic Freedom
"Don 't take too seriously the advice of people who supposedly know better than you do. As long as you are finding out things we didn 't know before, you are doing something right."
~Doreen Kimura
The quest for knowledge can be a wonderful thing. It can help to empower those that need confidence, and can also assist in daily tasks. It can also provide an individual the means to improve his or her lifestyle. But did you know that sometimes a little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing? Truly dangerous if it is not respected and handled with care. And nowhere is that most apparent, than on the campuses and in the classrooms of this nations institutions of higher education.
Even on the most tolerant of campuses, there exist individuals who are opinionated, biased, and judgmental of others ' perspectives. That is to be expected. But what happens when the professors and educators (or those who have put themselves in the role as educator) have taken their freedoms for granted and base everything that they say has merit given his or her First Amendment right?
Academic Freedom
Academic Freedom exists. ."in order that society will have the benefit of honest judgment and independent criticism which might (otherwise) be withheld because of fear of offending a dominant social group or transient social attitude" (Kimura, 1993). It 's a regulation to help make sure that professors and students alike have a voice on campus.
The American Association of University Professors is "a national organization committed solely to college and university faculty members. It defends academic freedom and tenure, advocates collegial governance, and develops policies ensuring due process" (Sleboda,2004). They have been extremely vocal in the assurance of academic freedom in academe.
One
References: American Association of University Professors. (2004) http://www.aaup.org/. Atkinson, R. (2003). Letter to the Academic Council from Berkeley President. March 21,2003. http://www.ucop.edu/ucophome/pres/atprofil.html. Horowitz, D. (2003). Students For Academic Freedom. Academic Bill of Rights. http://www.studentsforacademicfreedom.org/. Horowitz, D. (2005). A campaign of Lies. FrontPageMagazine.com. Feb 10, 2005. Jacobson, J. (2005). Statement on Rights Criticized as Weak. The Chronicle of Higher Education. Washington: Jul 15, 2005. Vol 51, Iss. 45; pg A22. Kimura, D. (1993). Fear of offending stifles intellectual debate. Society for Academic Freedom and Scholarship Newsletter, October 1993, pp. 1-3. Makdisi, S. (2005). Neocons Lay Siege to Ivory Towers. Los Angeles Times. May 4, 2005. Sleboda, J Students For Academic Freedom.(2003). http://www.studentsforacademicfreedom.org/. The Council on American-Islamic Relations(CAIR). (2005). http://www.cair-net.org. Troy, G. (2005). Current State of Academic Freedom. OAH Newsletter(Organization of American Historians). Bloomington: May 2005.Vol.33, Iss.2; pg. 16. University of California. (1934).