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Academic Freedom, Activism, and Sanctions
Last Updated: 2026-06-01 11:30:55
Abstract
Contemporary universities combine traditions of academic freedom with traditions of expected political neutrality, of student and faculty activism with an ethos of separation from social demands, and a spirit of open scientific collaboration with actual restrictions and sanctions. In this course, we will consider the historical, philosophical, and social underpinning of these tensions.
Objective
The students will be able to understand the historical developments that led to the above tensions in contemporary academia, analyze the social structures and normative frameworks that maintain them, and critically evaluate their own commitments in these areas. By the end of the course, they will have a better informed overview of the relations between academic freedom and politics.
Content
The course will cover the following issues: Unit 1: The history of academic freedom from- and dependence on political authorities • Dependence and independence with respect to secular and religious authorities in medieval European universities and Islamic institutions of study • The Humboldtian ethos/mythos of the university and its legacy Unit 2: Contemporary normative frameworks • Philosophical reflections on present and past views of academic freedom, activism, and collaboration • Contemporary normative and legal frameworks in the US and Europe, with a specific discussion of frameworks applicable to ETH Unit 3: Academic activism • Student activism in the 1960-70s • Academic activism outside Western Europe and North America (e.g., Serbia, Argentina, India, South Africa) • Contemporary academic climate activism Unit 4: Academic sanctions and collaborations • The academic boycott of South Africa • Contemporary academic sanctions on Russia (and perhaps other countries) • The Palestinian call for academic boycott on Israel
Resources
Learning Materials (Links)
- Moodle course
- Moodle-Kurs / Moodle course
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- DS , DR , MSC
Examination
- Type
- graded semester performance
Registration & Places
- Max Places
- 50
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| seminar | Academic Freedom, Activism, and Sanctions |
|
2 h weekly |
Offered In
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Wissenschaft im Kontext (Science in Perspective) (In Kursen aus dem Programm “Wissenschaft im Kontext” lernen Studierende, die MINT Fächer der ETH aus der Perspektive der Geistes-, Sozial- und Staatswissenschaften zu reflektieren. Nur die in diesem Abschnitt aufgelisteten Fächer können als "Wissenschaft im Kontext" angerechnet werden.)
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Typ A: Förderung allgemeiner Reflexionskompetenz (WiK-Kurse werden für Bachelorstudierende nach dem ersten Studienjahr sowie für alle Masterstudierende und Doktorierende empfohlen. Alle WiK-Kurse sind in Typ A gelistet. Bei den unter Typ B aufgeführten Kursen handelt es sich lediglich um Belegungsempfehlungen für bestimmte Departemente.)
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Doktorat Geistes-, Sozial- und Staatswissenschaften (Mehr Informationen unter: )