The Opinionated University

Rezensionen / Stimmen

"Soucek provides a nuanced approach to some of the most pressing issues surrounding university speech today. The book is rooted not only in his deep understanding of constitutional law and academic freedom, but also in a fine-grained view of how a university operates, as he considers the perspectives of students, faculty, administrators, parents, and politicians." -- Sigal R. Ben-Porath, author of 'Cancel Wars: How Universities Can Foster Free Speech, Promote Inclusion, and Renew Democracy' "In clear and compelling terms, The Opinionated University exposes 'institutional neutrality' as a myth. Brian Soucek argues that any definition of a university's mission-its admission and hiring standards, its curriculum, its rules of conduct for faculty and students, the way it protects or denies free speech and academic freedom-reflects the values of the institution. It is those values that are currently under attack. The book offers a way of understanding the attacks and countering them-not with false declarations of neutrality, but with reasoned critical analysis of the political work such declarations perform." -- Joan W. Scott, author of 'Knowledge, Power, and Academic Freedom' "Soucek addresses today's highly controversial issues of academic freedom, diversity, and inclusion in a readily accessible conversational style. While asserting his own clear point of view, he is undogmatic, balanced, and consistently charitable toward opposing viewpoints." -- Paul Brest, former dean and emeritus professor, Stanford Law School "At a time when an authoritarian federal government is applying enormous pressure to force schools to align with the ideology of the president, Brian Soucek reminds us that the so-called neutrality principle can be a cover for quietism and collaboration. If universities don't defend their values, who will?" -- Michael S. Roth, President, Wesleyan University