Syllabus: Banned!
Challenges to Intellectual Freedom around the World
Revised: 2/8/2016
FYE F100, section F02; CRN 74742
1 credit, Pass/Fail
Dates: Wednesdays 3:30 - 5:00,
Location: TBA
September 9- November 4
Instructor:
Karen Jensen
Collection Development Officer, Rasmuson Library
Phone: 474-6695 (work)
Office Location: Room 417a, Library
Office Hours: to be posted
E-Mail: kljensen@alaska.edu
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Welcome!
Course Description
This is a seminar for first-time freshmen focusing on the fundamental right of freedom of speech
and its importance in the functioning of the modern library. This course will explore the legal
basis of intellectual freedom (IF), its specific application in libraries, and examine how this
human right to free expression is curtailed or protected worldwide. During the semester we will
look at the motives for censorship both in print and online, and read and talk about why free
speech is sometimes difficult to defend. We will examine the vital historical and current role of
libraries in the defense of intellectual freedom and how libraries deal with specific challenges.
Course Goal
The goal of this course is to provide students the opportunity to learn about the essential role of
intellectual freedom in modern libraries, to practice expressing their own views on censorship,
and to form cohesive arguments for the inclusion or exclusion of controversial materials in
libraries.
Student Learning Objectives
By the end of this course students will be able to:
 Explain the historical and current role libraries play in providing unrestricted access to
information, and the threats and challenges to that role.
 Discuss the tension inherent between security/safety and liberty and the ways in which
societies attempt to resolve that dilemma.
 Describe some of the current challenges to intellectual freedom worldwide.
 Navigate the UAF educational system, including:
o create a 4-year academic plan;
o understand Core and Major requirements;
o know how to use Blackboard, UAOnline, Degree Works;
o be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct;
o take the ETS Proficiency Profile test (take outside class)
Instructional Methods
Short lectures, readings, films and student presentations will contribute to class discussions about
challenges to intellectual freedom. Participation is critical to the success of the course and
attendance is mandatory. This is not a distance or study-at-home course! We need your
presence and your ideas in the classroom.
Course Resources
Course Readings (chapters or links provided on Blackboard, don’t need to purchase
textbook)
Asheim, Lester. “Selection or Censorship: a Reappraisal,” Wilson Library Bulletin, 58
(1983): 180-184.
Binderup, Lars. “Global Freedom of Speech,” TRAMES, 11(4), (2007): 403–418.
Caldwell-Stone, Deborah. “On Filtering and the First Amendment: When is it Okay to
Block Speech Online?” American Libraries Magazine, March/April (2013): 58-61.
Dworkin, Ronald. “A New Map of Censorship,” Index on Censorship, 23(1-2), (2006):
130-133.
Foerstel, Herbert. Banned in the U.S.A. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2002. ON
RESERVE IN LIBRARY
Jones, Barbara. Promoting Intellectual Freedom in Your Academic Library: Scenarios
from the Front Lines. Chicago: American Library Association, 2009. ON RESERVE IN
LIBRARY
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Larue, James. The New Inquisition: Understanding and Managing Intellectual Freedom
Challenges. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited, 2007. ON RESERVE IN LIBRARY
“Library Bill of Rights.” American Library Association. Accessed 5-21-2013.
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill.
State of Alaska. “Alaska Statute on Confidentiality of Library Records, Statute
40.25.140.” 28th Legislature (2013-2014). Accessed 5-20-2013.
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/folio.asp.
United Nations. “Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” Articles 18-19. Accessed 521-2013. http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/.
United States Senate. “Constitution of the United States, First Amendment.” Accessed 520-2013. http://www.senate.gov/civics/constitution_item/constitution.htm#amendments.
Films (on Reserve at the Rasmuson Library – view in-house)
Forbidden Reading, DVD-8025
Vanishing Liberties: The Rise of State Surveillance in the Digital Age, American Library
Association. Online at: http://vimeo.com/twentykfilms/freedomfromsurveillance
Writing Lessons: Writers and Censorship, DVD-2923
Additional films – not required for class nor on Reserve, but which may be of interest or
useful for a student presentation
Bloody Cartoons DVD-7249
Obscene : a Portrait of [publisher] Barney Rossett and Grove Press – DVD-8368
Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech - DVD-6681
This Film is Not Yet Rated – DVD-3277
Why be Good? Sexuality and Censorship in Early Cinema – DVD-5518
Some of our Websites (there will be more!)
American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom,
http://www.ala.org/offices/oif
FCC Guide on Obscene, Indecent, and Profane Broadcasts,
http://www.fcc.gov/guides/obscenity-indecency-and-profanity
Freedom to Write, News Feed, PEN Center USA, http://www.penusa.org/
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Freedom to Read Foundation, http://www.ftrf.org/
Policies
Technical Requirements
All students are required to use the UAF email system and Blackboard. Instructor will
communicate with students outside class through UAF email. Assistance with computer
technology is provided by the Office of Information Technology (OIT). Extra assistance from the
instructor is available as needed. These systems will also be demonstrated in class.
Grading and Assignments: Pass/Fail. Attendance is mandatory and students must attend all 9
class meetings. If an absence is absolutely unavoidable due to emergency, arrangements must be
made with instructor for additional make-up work to get attendance credit. Students are graded
on a combination of participation in class activities and completion of specific assignments.
Students must complete the paper, the class presentation (group or individual) and receive
adequate attendance credit to pass the class. Students must also complete the Student Success
Curriculum, including taking the ETS Proficiency Test, for a passing grade. See below for
details.
Participation - Participation means attending class on time, staying for the duration of the class
period, and earnestly contributing to discussion. MUST EARN 9 POINTS TO PASS
Presentation - Students will create a short presentation (~5-10 minutes) on a contemporary
intellectual freedom challenge, providing the brief background, the nature of the controversy,
and the resolution, if any. Group presentations (3-4 people maximum to a group) are permitted.
Class members will participate in constructive peer reviews after each presentation (these
reviews will not affect the course grade). MUST EARN 6.75/9 POINTS TO PASS [rubric on
Blackboard]
Paper - Students will read the assigned essay [Binderup: Global Freedom of Speech] and write a
short (3-5 page) essay on their reaction to the author’s point of view. Essays must show evidence
of having read the assignment, and be written in standard, grammatically correct English. Due
last day of class. MUST EARN 6.75/9 POINTS TO PASS [rubric on Blackboard]
Student Conduct
Most materials that have been censored are controversial in some way. Some are considered
morally offensive or are believed by some people to pose a threat of some kind to society.
Students are expected to handle the viewing and discussion of controversial or offensive material
with a mature attitude and should conduct themselves respectfully toward fellow students and the
instructor during group discussions. Students unable to do so or who are disruptive to the group
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will be asked to leave the classroom. We will look at and talk about difficult topics, and we will
not all agree; some will be offended! These difficulties and disagreements will help everyone
learn.
Academic Integrity
The essay assignment is your own work and should reflect your own knowledge of the course
material. If I determine that materials are copied, zero credit will be given for the course.
Honor code: Please refer to the UAF catalog for the Student Code of Conduct; this applies to your work
in this course. For a group presentation it is expected that all participants will contribute significantly to
the final product.
Disabilities Services
The Office of Disability Services implements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and
ensures that UAF students have equal access to the campus and course materials. I will work
with the Office of Disabilities Services (208 WHIT, 474-5655) to provide reasonable
accommodation to students with disabilities.
Course Schedule
Note: all readings are on Blackboard, and films on Reserve in the library, and should be
completed prior to the class meeting. Film viewing equipment is available in the library.
Note: This schedule is subject to change, depending on the flow of discussion and class
needs. Please stay tuned to the Blackboard Announcements for changes.
Day 1
Read before class:




New Inquisition, Chapter 1, “Background: a historical perspective”
First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
Alaska Statute on Confidentiality
U.N. Declaration of Human Rights
Class: Quiz on readings! Introductions, course plan, Blackboard, email, intro to Student
Success Curriculum. Banned Books Week ideas and planning.
Watch during class: Librarians who battled the Patriot Act [9 min.]
Day 2
Read before class:

New Inquisition, Chapter 4, “Responding to challenges”
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


Fairbanks public library’s “Request for Reconsideration” policy.
Library Bill of Rights
Filtering and the First Amendment
Class: Quiz on readings! Lecture and discussion. American legal basis of intellectual
freedom, examples of challenges, how libraries deal with challenges. Library Boards and
their reconsideration processes. Start planning for Banned Books Week display.
Day 3
Read before class:



Asheim, “Selection or Censorship”
Dworkin, “A New Map of Censorship”
Skim UAF library collection development policy.
Watch film before class: Forbidden Reading, DVD-8025 [52 minutes]
Class: Quiz on readings! Review of paper assignment. Check in on Student Success
curriculum. Library case studies. Ideas for presentations. Sample class presentation by
instructor. Put up Banned Books display.
Day 4
Read before class:

Binderup’s Global Freedom of Speech
Watch during class: Bloody Cartoons [52 minutes]
Class: Discussion topic: Western democracies and “traditional” societies. Respecting and
challenging ideas and beliefs worldwide.
*Submit presentation proposal to instructor.
Day 5
Read before class:

Promoting Intellectual Freedom, Chapter 2, “Collection Development”
Watch during class: Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech [74 minutes]
Class: While watching the film, jot down every ethnic group that has been censored
during the historical period covered by the film. What is your “take-away” message from this
movie?
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Day 6
Read:

Banned in the USA- Chapter 4 – read about any 3 of the most frequently
banned books.
Watch film before class: Writing Lessons, DVD-2923 [27 minutes]
Class: Discussion Topic: The paradox of liberty versus security. In the film “Writing
Lessons,” Rushdie says “we can’t become the armor we put on” or else “we stop being the thing
we are protecting.” Can the paradox be resolved?
Day 7
Read:

Banned in the USA – Chapter 3 – read about any 3 of the voices of banned
authors
Class: Student presentations. Internet privacy vs security.
Day 8
Class: Student presentations, Catch up on Student Success Curriculum
Day 9
Final class day!
Term Papers due
Final student presentations. Maintaining awareness of IF issues. Internet privacy and
marketing.
Images from Dayton Metro Library, East Branch, under Creative Commons.
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