Reviews the 1974 statement on academic freedom of the National Council for the Social Studies and offers a rationale for maintaining academic freedom. Reviews recent censorship threats, the "climate of restriction" which pervades textbooks and teaching, and teachers' reasons for self-censorship. (JDH)

Clarifies and explains the ideologies and potential justifications of censorship efforts. Offers recommendations and procedures for maintaining an atmosphere with ample freedom to learn and positive community relations. (JDH)

The president of Harvard University writes an open letter on the subject of free speech and its application to a university community. The question of whether heckling is an exercise of free speech or an infringement on the rights of the speaker is discussed. (MLW)

The strength of academic freedom has always depended upon historical circumstances. In the United States, higher education began with institutions founded and controlled by religious sects. The notion of who gets educated and to what ends expanded as American democracy expanded. By the 1980's, legitimate calls for equality became a general…

Never enjoying the strong protection afforded to other First Amendment-related speech, academic freedom has been buffeted by a series of seemingly conflicting legal decisions. This paper explores the case that focuses on an allegation that faculty members of Vincennes University, a two-year school in Indiana, were discriminated against because of…

This reference work documents the history of human rights theory, explains each article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, explores the contemporary human rights movement, and examines the major human rights issues facing the world today. This book is the first to combine historical and contemporary perspectives on these critical…

Article focused on academic freedom and the right of academic persons to discuss ideas which they can defend by research and logic. (Author/RK)

Discusses court cases grappling with issues concerning faculty members at institutions of higher education, such as their right to continuing employment in the absence of contract or statutory provisions and the extent of their procedural rights in the event of employment termination. (Author/JF)

This bibliography contains citations for 94 books and unpublished library science doctoral dissertations, the majority of which pertain to problems in the United States dealing with censorship, intellectual freedom, legal aspects of freedom of expression, and problems associated with obscenity and pornography. (EJS)

Examines professional periodicals published during the late 1940s and 1950s for their positions on the following questions: (1) Should Communists be permitted to teach in public schools? (2) Should controversial material including Communism be taught in the schools? and (3) Are loyalty oaths appropriate for teachers? (CT)

Describes and explains the decisions in several freedom of speech cases and outlines practical conclusions that can serve as guidelines for administrators. (JM)

Discusses situations that recently received judicial scrutiny regarding clashes between the freedom of the teacher and the freedom of the learner. Each of the following began with a student's objection to an instructional act: (1) freedom to research a religious topic; (2) freedom from racial discomfort; (3) freedom from sexual discomfort; and (4)…

Discusses that nonpublic education is a valid option for many, but they do not have the liberties that upper middle class families enjoy. Points out that poor people should enjoy the same educational benefits as others. Concludes that leaders should consider non-public schools as valid as the public schools. Contains 2 references. (MZ)

Reviews a recent decision by the Sixth Court of Appeals that a community college instructor had a constitutional right to use the words "nigger" and "bitch" in the context of a classroom discussion in a course on interpersonal relations. Discusses the case in the context of other court decisions on a college's right to regulate an instructor's…

Faculty who criticize their academic employers have attempted to expand the doctrine of academic freedom to insulate themselves from institutional retribution. Examination of a number of court decisions discloses that most faculty lose their challenges. Advises faculty to examine their claims and personal vulnerability before bringing suit. (MLF)