Academic Connections, International

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Café Cook 12

These resources were compiled for this edition of Connections Review: Issue #12, Fall 2015.

Café Cook is a place where you can peruse a variety of links that we think are relevant to Christian faculty.  So grab a cup of coffee or a latte and browse what we have to offer this issue.

     There continues to be lively discussion on the issues of free speech given efforts on campus to protect certain classes of people.  These kinds of issues have extended to things like “trigger warnings” in syllabi, restrictions on words used by students in class and in papers--with penalties if it is violated and more.  Then there are cases like one that occurred at DePauw University this last month that involved a traveling “evangelical.” It’s the kind of tempest that causes one to roll your eyes.  Here, Jed Smock (really that’s his name), apparently stands on street corners and verbally assaults people calling them “whores,” “sinners,” and worse.  Is that protected speech?  A lot of people at DePauw University didn’t think so.    However, Christians have a dog in the fight.

     Freedom of speech is incredibly important for Christians because it guarantees the right to speak about the gospel on campus (in certain situations) and other important religious topics.  Having that right of freedom of expression continually restricted is a cause for concern even when it is abused by so-called “evangelicals.”  The phenomenon is certainly ammo for those who wish to ban “hate speech” and increase protections on campus , but in the end it may produce costly impediments.  Besides there will likely be some “cannibalism” where those accusing may themselves find themselves or their compatriots accused by the same rules.       Below are some readings that we wouldn’t want you to have missed. Grab a cup of coffee and read on (note some readings require on-line subscriptions, for example to the Chronicle of Higher Education), to get some perspective on viewpoint diversity and freedom of speech as it relates to campuses.  Sometimes the comments sections following the articles are valuable, too.

AS ALWAYS, INCLUSION DOES NOT MEAN ENDORSEMENT OF WHAT THESE ARTICLES HAVE TO SAY.  SOME ARTICLES OR PARTS OF ARTICLES WE WOULD DEFINITELY DISAGREE WITH THEIR VIEW POINTS, BUT WE INCLUDE THEM SO YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A BROADER POINTS OF VIEW.  It is left to your discernment and your biblical world-view to analyze what is said.

~Editor

Articles:

     •     “A Diversity of Viewpoints is at the Heart of Learning”  Scott Douglas Gerber in the Chronicle of Higher Learning (CHE)

     •     “Bible-Carrying Group Disrupts DePauw U. With Shouts That Students Are Going to Hell”  Charles Huckabee in (CHE)

     •     “Restoring Free Speech on Campus” Geoffrey Stone & Will Creeley in The Washington Post

     •     “The Death of Free Speech on College Campuses” A. Barton Hinkle in Reason.com

     •     “Hate Speech on Campus” the ACLU

     •     The New Thought Police The Nation

     •     Oregon Files Counterclaim Against Student Suing Over Sexual Assault Case IHE

     •     Student Accused of Sexual Assault Cites ‘Fifty Shades’

     •     Judge Throws Out Philosophy Professor’s Lawsuit Against Northwestern

     •     Charges Dropped Against 5 Accused of Rape at William Paterson U. CHE

     •     CU Settles on Title IX Suit CHE

     •     Rolling Stone Article on Rape at University of Virginia Failed All Basics, Report Says NYT

     •     Sexual Paranoia Strikes Academe by Laura Kipnis (CHE, February 27, 2015)

     •     My Title IX Inquisition by Laura Kipnis (CHE, May 29, 2015)

     •     Kipnis Case Highlights Perilous Clash of Title IX and Academic Freedom by Katherine Mangan (CHE, June 3, 2015)

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     On another but not completely unrelated subject--sexuality and gender issues--we also include some recent posts.

     •     “Feminists Want Us To Define These Ugly Sexual Encounters As Rape. Don’t Let Them” Cathy Young in Washington Post

     •     “What the Left and Right Don’t Get About Campus Rape” Mona Charen in The Federalis

     •     “Think the Left Won the Culture War?  Think Again.” Fedrik deBoer in Observer

     •     “The Sexual Politics of Harvard” Sandra Y.L. Korn in the Harvard Crimson

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     In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on “same sex marriage” there was a flurry of articles that you can access on this LINK   Find there at least 29 articles we have organized for you, devoted to the aftermath and what it means...