Palestine and the Limits of Academic Freedom
Dr. Steven Salaita, Author & Professor
The Palestine Center, Washington, DC
1:00-2:00 pm EST
In the summer of 2014, renowned American Indian Studies professor Steven Salaita had his offer of a tenured professorship revoked by the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Salaita’s employment was terminated in response to his public tweets criticizing the Israeli government’s summer assault on Gaza. His firing generated a huge public outcry, with thousands petitioning for his reinstatement, and more than five thousand scholars pledging to boycott the University of Illinois. His case raises important questions about academic freedom, free speech on campus, and the movement for justice in Palestine. In this book, Salaita combines personal reflection and political critique to provide a thorough analysis of his controversial termination. He situates his case at the intersection of important issues that affect both higher education and social justice activism.
Steven Salaita is the author of six books, including Israel’s Dead Soul (Temple University Press 2011). During the 2015-2016 academic year, he is serving as the Edward W. Said Chair of American Studies at the American University of Beirut.