The TPPI Podcast, Episode 1: A Conversation with Cary Nelson
Jan 28, 2024
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Prof. Cary Nelson, former president of the American Association of University Professors, discusses the role of critical theory in higher education's response to the Hamas atrocities. They delve into the diverse uses of theory, the impact on universities, and the controversy surrounding Stephen Salida's appointment. They also explore affirmative action hiring, evaluating work, and the problems in women's studies departments.
Critical theory is a diverse range of theories that have competed with each other over time.
Universities need outside pressure and principled input from donors to ensure equitable and responsible resource usage.
Thorough evaluation of faculty candidates is crucial to ensure responsible hiring and preserve academic freedom.
Deep dives
Evaluating the Role of Critical Theory in Higher Education
The podcast episode discusses the role of critical theory in higher education, specifically in relation to the response to the Hamas atrocities. The guest, Kerry Nelson, emphasizes that critical theory is not a monolithic entity, but rather a diverse range of theories that have competed with each other over time. While some theorists have used critical theory to rationalize and promote anti-Semitism, it is only a part of the broader spectrum of theory. Nelson argues that universities need outside pressure and principled input from donors to ensure that resources are used in an equitable and responsible manner.
The Limits of Academic Freedom and Evaluating Faculty Hiring
The conversation delves into the limits of academic freedom and the challenges in evaluating faculty hiring. Nelson highlights the importance of appointing faculty members based on thorough and responsible evaluations, considering their intellectual contributions and their impact on the university community. While he believes in protecting academic freedom and free speech, there are moments when professional judgment should prevail, such as when a faculty member expresses discriminatory views that could negatively impact students' learning environment. Nelson suggests that outside pressure and donor input should play a role in guiding the spending of resources and ensuring principled control in academia.
Debating Theory, Evaluating Scholarly Works, and Protecting Academic Freedom
The podcast episode explores the nuances of academic freedom and the need for thoughtful evaluation of scholarly works. Nelson acknowledges the importance of defending free speech and engaging in debates, but he also asserts the responsibility to critically evaluate and judge the quality of academic work when making decisions related to hiring, tenure, and publishing. He discusses controversial cases, including the Amy Wax controversy and the criticism faced by the Israel Studies journal issue. Nelson argues that academic freedom and free speech should not shield scholars from scrutiny and that scholarly evaluations should consider the impact of their work on the university community and intellectual discourse.
Importance of Thorough Evaluation of Faculty
Thorough evaluation of faculty candidates, including analyzing their publications and social media presence, is essential to ensure high quality and responsible hiring. The podcast episode highlights the case of an academic appointment in Native American studies that faced criticism due to the lack of in-depth evaluation. The episode emphasizes the need for universities to make tough professional judgments and exercise evaluative professional judgment while preserving academic freedom.
Addressing Anti-Semitism and Academic Freedom
The podcast episode discusses the author's latest book on hate speech and academic freedom, focusing on the issue of anti-Semitism and its presence in academia. The author argues for the adoption of the IRA definition of anti-Semitism as a way to confront and address the realities of anti-Semitism on campuses. The book also explores the limits of academic freedom and the responsibility to deal with reprehensible faculty speech while preserving free speech rights.
Gabriel Brahm, director of the Telos-Paul Piccone Institute's Israel initiative, speaks with Prof. Cary Nelson, former president of the American Association of University Professors, about the role of critical theory in the response within higher education to the Hamas atrocities of October 7. This conversation follows TPPI's webinar on January 7 on the same subject with Nelson, Abe Silberstein, and Manuela Consonni, available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWNDnQtLvLQ
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