Academic freedom at Columbia

Columbia University's history department attracted my attention a couple of months ago as a potential grad school choice. In particular, the books recently published by its history faculty -- as well as the distribution of fields represented by its professors -- appeal to my particular interests.

Now Cliopatria's Robert "KC" Johnson has commented on a dispute at Columbia surrounding alleged ideological bullying by professors, particularly Middle East studies professors. According to Johnson, the administration has responded well:

In sharp contrast to other administrations that have faced allegations of curricular bias, the Columbia administration has treated the claims seriously: President Lee Bollinger publicly conceded that the school’s Middle East Studies department needed an Israel scholar, and Provost Alan Brinkley (whom I know and respect very highly) has promised an investigation into the charges laid out in the Sun and Daily News articles.

| Posted by Wilson at 21:04 Central | TrackBack
| Report submitted to the Education Desk