New article: Academic Freedom or Academic Denial: Social Studies at Another Crossroad

Co-authored by Jack L. Nelson & William R. Fernekes

Social studies is a primary focus of contemporary efforts to control education, thus controlling a democratic society. Previous threats in the U.S. have temporarily disrupted high quality social education while current ones carry governmental, political, and legal restrictions representing far more power. Since an educated population is basic to the core of democratic governance, threats to intellectual and academic freedom are threats to that process. Legitimate social education incorporates inquiry, evidence-based knowledge, and critical thinking. Examples of the threat are examined in this article, followed by a summary of grounds for academic freedom. Recommendations for responsible actions and resources follow.

Given the challenging landscape facing K-university educators in the current political environment, the authors hope this article will spur reflection and action to safeguard intellectual freedom, without which no democracy can survive.

To access the article, use this DOI link: https://lnkd.in/esi5qes6.

HRE USA is a project of the Center for Transformative Action.