Collin County Community College District

Faculty Council

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Faculty Council on Academic Freedom

A flourishing scholarly community requires academic freedom. In order for students and faculty to pursue shared inquiry and learning, there must be a free environment in which it is possible to discuss controversial issues, employ a variety of different pedagogical techniques, and explore a diversity of points of view. In such an environment, critical thinking skills are honed and enhanced, and students enter into an apprenticeship with faculty, actively contributing to the production and expansion of knowledge and learning rather than passively receiving information. For such a community to prosper it is necessary that students and faculty alike be able to explore ideas freely, frankly, and critically without fear of retribution. The fruits of such an atmosphere encourage civil exchange of ideas and promote the goals of a free society.