We hear a lot about academic freedom—the right of faculty to speak their mind without fear of reprisal. We also know that the abuse of academic freedom exists—extraneous opinions and commentary made by faculty that students are expected to accept on faith.
The Pope Center has exposed examples of such abuse in the past, but with our second annual Spirit of Inquiry Award, now open for nominations, we are turning the tables. Rather than condemn those who abuse their freedom, we will praise and reward those professors who help their students think about complex issues. The Spirit of Inquiry Award honors North Carolina faculty who inspire class discussion, drive their students to greater achievements, and imbue them with a love of knowledge.
Students: Think about the best course you have taken during the past four years. It is easy to nominate the professor for that course here. Our goal is to find and reward excellent professors who teach their classes with a commitment to open-minded inquiry within the guidelines of a particular discipline. We perceive freedom of inquiry to be one of the greatest needs in college today.
The Spirit of Inquiry winner for 2008 was Bart Ehrman, the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor in the department of religious studies. Ehrman teaches Introduction to the New Testament. He received the prize along with two other outstanding UNC-Chapel Hill professors, Larry Goldberg, lecturer in the department of English and comparative literature, and Mark Crescenzi, associate professor of political science. All were praised for instilling respect for knowledge and inquiry and for inspiring class discussion and driving their students to greater achievement.
In this contest, students win, too!
The winning professor receives $1000, to be used for books, travel, and other education- or research-related expenses. A student who nominates the winning course will receive $250 worth of textbooks for the next semester, and the students who nominate the second- and third-place winners will receive $100 worth of textbooks.
Requirements for nomination:
A Spirit of Inquiry
- The instructor’s presentation of social and political issues is balanced and fair
- The course readings present multiple perspectives on controversial issues
- The classroom environment allows student expression of ideas
- The classroom environment encourages open investigation and inquiry
Educational Excellence
- Course material is interesting and rigorous
- Faculty member is responsive to student needs
Other Items to Keep in Mind:
- Course can be in any discipline
- Course must have been taken no earlier than Fall 2005 and no later than Spring 2009
- Nominations accepted from undergrads and graduate students
- All courses in North Carolina public and private colleges and universities are eligible
Nominations will be accepted from now until May 15, 2009.
More information about the Spirit of Inquiry Contest can be found here. We look forward to discovering excellence on North Carolina’s campuses.