Academic freedom means that both social studies educators and students have the opportunity to engage in intellectual debate without fear of censorship or retaliation. Academic freedom gives both social studies educators and students the right to express their views--in speech, writing, and/or through electronic communication without fear of…

Social studies and history teachers should be free to expose students to controversial ideas and to teach critical thinking skills. But are they free? Do they have the constitutional right--call it academic freedom--to teach what they want and to discuss controversial issues in the classroom? The short answer is "no." In this article,…

In this article, the author makes the point that social studies teachers have a "professional responsibility" to educate students, no matter what protections might or might not be provided by the law, and that "as professionals, their expertise about content, pedagogy, and their students makes it not just acceptable, but mandatory,…

Contends that universities must be concerned with efforts to censor elementary and secondary schools' academic freedom. Reports on the American Association of University Professors' (AAUP) recommendations for promoting and protecting academic freedom. The recommendations are targeted at universities, academic disciplines, and individual faculty…

Reviews the recent history of the Fifth Amendment focusing primarily on its use by government officials during the Iran-Contra hearings and by teachers during the McCarthy era hearings. Concludes that social studies teachers must encourage discussion of the political and philosophical issues contained in the Iran-Contra hearings. (JDH)

Reviews the 1974 statement on academic freedom of the National Council for the Social Studies and offers a rationale for maintaining academic freedom. Reviews recent censorship threats, the "climate of restriction" which pervades textbooks and teaching, and teachers' reasons for self-censorship. (JDH)

Notes that the principles of academic freedom are not well established and that standards are difficult to define for judging individual cases of conflict. Reviews cases which demonstrate how difficult it is to draw the line between the rights of parents and the school board and the rights of teachers and students. (JDH)

Asserts that the rational use and management of conflict resulting from the clash of ideas is a sine qua non for social studies teachers. Argues that competent social studies teachers must stop short of violating the personal privacy of students even if the purpose is noble. (JDH)

Part of the acceptance speech of the 1985 National Council for the Social Studies Teacher of the Year, this article describes the censorship experience of this honored social studies teacher. The incident involved the showing of a videotape version of the feature film entitled "The Seduction of Joe Tynan." (JDH)

This article reviews recent threats to academic freedom and examines the tendencies which either undermine or bolster the individual's willingness to exercise that freedom. Concludes that those who would curtail academic freedom are receiving support from a conservative federal judiciary and a national administration that identifies closely with…

Cites examples of private attacks and governmental restrictions on academic freedom. Contends that teachers must explicitly teach the importance of free inquiry in an open society; and that school districts must have written procedures in place for dealing with complaints. (JDH)

Provides a brief quiz to test one's understanding of academic freedom. Reviews several court cases on teachers and academic freedom, highlighting the actions of the school, and outcomes of the cases. Includes suggestions for teachers for examining controversial issues in the classroom while accounting for the needs of all involved. (CMK)

The freedom of teaching around 1935 is compared to academic freedom today. Unfortunately, today there remain serious restrictions on the freedom to teach and learn social studies. (RM)

Reprints two statements of the Academic Freedom Committee of the National Council for the Social Students on academic freedom and professional standards in social studies education. Stresses the rights and responsibilities of teachers, students, and administrators to protect the freedom to teach and learn in a democratic spirit of inquiry. (CH)