Full Description
In this book, Amy Lai examines the current free speech crisis in Western universities. She studies the origin, history, and importance of freedom of speech in the university setting, and addresses the relevance and pitfalls of political correctness and microaggressions on campuses, where laws on harassment, discrimination, and hate speech are already in place, along with other concepts that have gained currency in the free speech debate, including deplatforming, trigger warning, and safe space. Looking at numerous free speech disputes in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, the book argues for the equal application of the free speech principle to all expressions to facilitate respectful debates. All in all, it affirms that the right to free expression is a natural right essential to the pursuit of truth, democratic governance, and self-development, and this right is nowhere more important than in the university.
Contents
Preface and Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One
Chapter One: Free Speech in Western Universities
Chapter Two: Academic Freedom: History, Definitions, and Democratic Significance
Chapter Three: Campus Free Speech and Academic Freedom
Part Two
Chapter Four: Free Speech, Compelled Speech, Facts/Falsehoods/Unpopular Opinions
Chapter Five: Political Correctness, Harassment/Discrimination/Hate Speech, Microaggression
Chapter Six: Deplatforming, Trigger Warning, Safe Space
Part Three
Chapter Seven: The United Kingdom: Human Rights Act, a New Bill, and the Uncertain Future of Campus Speech
Chapter Eight: The United States: First Amendment, Speech Policies, and Promising but "Not Quite There Yet" Results
Chapter Nine: Canada: The (Ir)Relevance of the Charter to Campus Free Speech
Conclusion
