School of Education and Human Development.
Academic freedom provides the foundation for faculty scholarship and teaching.
The ability to exchange ideas and concepts freely in the classroom, to explore and disseminate new knowledge, and to speak professionally and as a private citizen are essential elements for the intellectual vitality of a college or university. It is important, therefore, that faculty members and higher education administrators understand the meaning, content, legal parameters, and contemporary issues that pertain to and affect academic freedom in American higher education. This report synthesizes academic freedom literature and applicable case law to provide a succinct look at the current issues and contexts surrounding academic freedom. In doing so, the following major questions are posed and addressed. Conceptions of academic freedom existed in America from the first establishment of American colleges in the 17th century.