Description
Book SynopsisIn recent years, a number of controversies have emerged from inside Canadian universities. While some of these controversies reflect debates occurring at a broader societal level, others are unique to the culture of universities and the way in which they are governed. In University Commons Divided, Peter MacKinnon provides close readings of a range of recent incidents with a view to exploring new challenges within universities and the extent to which the idea of the university as ‘commons,’ a site for open and contentious disagreement, may be under threat.
Among the incidents addressed in this book are the Jennifer Berdahl case in which a UBC professor alleged a violation of her academic freedom when she was phoned by the university''s board chair to discuss her blog on which she speculated about the reasons for the university president''s departure from office; the case of Root Gorelick, a Carleton University biologist and member of the university’
Trade Review
"This book, [Mackinnon’s] second treatise on university governance, rings alarm bells about the direction of Canadian higher education…[it] is a worthwhile contribution, and the author deserves credit for writing frankly and provocatively.." -- Paul Axelrod * Albertaviews (online) August 21, 2018 *
"Written in easily-digestible prose, University Commons Divided is an excellent resource for students of higher education, university governance, or Canadian law." -- Summer Cowley, University of Toronto * Canadian Journal of Higher Education, vol 48 2 2018 *
Table of Contents
Governance and Academic Freedom at UBC The Jennifer Berdahl Case Sexual Transgressions at Dalhousie Dentistry Students on Facebook Safe Space, Comfort and Freedom of Expression Stories from across Canada Academic Freedom and Governance: A Reprise Carleton's Blogging Board Member Freedom of Religion in the Commons A Law School for Trinity Western University? Making the World a Better Place The Social Responsibility of Canadian Universities Conclusion
