The Library was recently the recipient of a gift in honor of Joan Wexler, Dean and President Emerita of Brooklyn Law School. The funds received from the gift were used to purchase books in an area of particular interest to President Wexler. She chose the area “academic freedom,” and Library Director Janet Sinder selected the books that have been cataloged and added to our collection, and are now available on the shelves in the cellar’s main collection area for loan. While Professor Sinder ordered over twenty books on this topic, a few of these new books are briefly described below.
Academic Freedom in an Age of Conformity: Confronting the Fear of Knowledge.
This book, written by Joanna Williams, gives the history and analysis of the rise and recent fall of academic freedom, including a discussion of the restrictions that some governments are imposing on academic freedom.
While academic freedom might seem to be a “largely academic proposition disconnected from the pursuit of knowledge,” Ms. Williams enumerates academic freedom in the areas of science, social science, sociology, literature, etc. She also discusses how the fight for academic freedom has become a campaign for “academic justice” in recent years.
Academic Freedom in Conflict: The Struggle over Free Speech in the University
This work is a collection of essays edited by James L. Turk. The many contributors to this book document the areas in which academic freedom is in jeopardy, including in religious institutions, in academic-corporate settings, etc. Also discussed are the “managed university” and demonstrations on campuses.
A practical area for discussion regarding academic freedom is given an entire chapter entitled “Giving and taking offence: civility, respect, ad academic freedom.” While this book was published in Canada, the information conveyed has implications for those interested in academic freedom in the U.S.
Freedom to Learn: The Threat to Student Academic Freedom and Why It Needs to be Reclaimed
The author, Bruce Macfarlane, argues for student choice, or real academic freedom, in the areas of attendance requirements, class participation, assessments, etc., in other words, student-centered learning. He advocates certain rights for students, such as the right to non-discrimination, the right to reticence in the classroom, the right to choose how to learn, etc.
Why Academic Freedom Matters: A Response to Current Challenges
This book, edited by Cheryl Hudson and Joanna Williams, is written by several contributors from the British perspective, and gives a history of academic freedom, defines it as it is currently viewed, discusses the university in the 21st century, and explores the current threats to academic freedom.
