In partnership with the Office of the Faculty Ombuds and Faculty Senate, with the support of the Provost’s office, TLAC co-hosted two events during AY2021-22 centered on facilitating informed understanding of the concept of academic freedom in the classroom. In fall 2021, Professor of Political Science Chris Stangl presented “Academic Freedom, In and out of the Classroom,” overviewing definitions and citing legal cases and court decisions, while emphasizing that freedom of speech and academic freedom are not synonymous. You can view his slides as a PDF file or PowerPoint file using your WCU credentials.

We followed this introduction from our local expert by inviting Henry Reichman, Professor Emeritus of History, California State University East Bay and American Association of University Professors former Chair of the Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure to present remotely on “Academic Freedom in the Classroom: What it is and What it is Not.” The video of his May 4, 2022 presentation is below, with the discussion and Q&A removed from the recording.

Reichman’s 2021 book, Understanding Academic Freedom, is available as an e-book through the Francis Harvey Green Library.