Clemson Professors Address Issues of Academic Freedom in Controversy
At the Fall 2006 meeting of the State Assembly, the speakers were Clemson professors Rivlin and LeMahieu. They spoke about the recent opposition to the book selection (Truth and Beauty) which had been required reading for incoming freshmen in August 2006. Their presentation and the group discussion that developed addressed the implications for academic freedom in higher education.
Thoughts on Clemson's Required Reading
Former State President Scott Henderson wrote the following opinion piece, which appeared in the Greenville News on August 29, 2006.
Academic inquiry often controversial
Upstate Alive recently published a full-page statement criticizing Clemson University's decision to make the novel "Truth and Beauty" required reading for freshmen.
Both the selection process and the content of required texts are legitimate objects of scrutiny. Upstate Alive is wrong, though, in stating that it is a violation of academic freedom to ask students to read a particular book.
Academic freedom emerged during World War I as a way to protect college faculty from being fired for teaching or advocating unpopular views. It does not give faculty the right to gratuitously offend students. But, on the other hand, it does not give college students the right to opt out of assignments just because they might disagree with, or be offended by, the views they encounter along the way.
The American Association of University Professors has noted that "controversy is at the heart of free academic inquiry." Indeed, much of our contemporary knowledge is a result of debates over certain theories and beliefs. This sort of progress would be impossible if we allowed students to take an intellectual vacation every time a controversial subject was raised.
