135.  Academic Freedom and Free Speech: Blurred Lines  

Authority in higher education is a dicey issue. It has traditionally been assumed that faculty own the curriculum, protected by the principles of academic freedom that allow them the license to pursue controversial topics in teaching and research. This stands apart from the First Amendment right of free speech enjoyed by all American citizens. Recent actions by state boards of trustees and legislatures, most notably in Florida, have impacted the content and structure of general education curricula. Faculty have characterized this as an infringement of academic freedom. In this episode I’ll examine how ownership of the curriculum has become a political hotbed that blurs the line between academic freedom and freedom of speech. EdUp Insights with Bill Pepicello is part of the EdUp Experience Podcast network.