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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA Minnesota University Is Under Fire for Dismissing an Art History Professor Who Showed Medieval
In a controversial move, an adjunct professor at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, has lost her job after showing her class Medieval paintings depicting the Prophet Muhammad, founder of the Islamic religion.
The schools decision not to renew the professors contract for the current semester has sparked debates over free speech, including a Change.org petition in support of the teacher, signed by at least 2,500 scholars and students of Islamic studies and art history, and a condemnation from PEN America of the egregious violation of academic freedom.
Though it is not mentioned in the Koran, many Muslims believe it is idolatrous to show Muhammads face. Most mosques instead are decorated with geometric designs and calligraphy featuring passages from the Koran, and Islamic figurative art is now rare.
But there is also a tradition of painting Muhammad, often in miniature, especially in Persia, Turkey, and India. Examples can be found in the collections of museums such as the Louvre, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco. It was a selection of two of those artworks shown to the class that cost the professor her job.
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/professor-terminated-art-history-paintings-muhammad-2238922
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I actually attended a madrassa where one of the Muslim lecturers showed an image of Muhammad. When I asked him about it, he shrugged and said that most Muslims don't really care, as long as the image is not disrespectful.
As an Art Historian, this story is really upsetting to me.
What happened to academic freedom?!?!?!
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)People need to stop trying to foist their religion on others.
housecat
(3,121 posts)"religion"a bad name. People with religion, as in a spiritual relationship with God and the universe, would never try to push others to follow something they don't even understand. "Those who don't know God will kneel before a pig."
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Ps - I'd kneel before a pig anytime vs any organized religion. They all denegrats women.
LakeArenal
(28,835 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Was always in trouble as a kid for questioning "the church." I used to ask them "how dare you not question 'the church?'"
rubbersole
(6,721 posts)...if it had been in a smoker for 8+ hours covered in Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce - Vandalia Onion flavor preferably.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)dalton99a
(81,566 posts)On Hamline University's shocking imposition of narrow religious orthodoxy in the classroom.
...
As an historian, I am shocked that Hamlines administration cannot appreciate that the image is a primary source and that a class on art history, by definition, necessitates engaging with primary sources; this is the heart of the historians craft. Barring a professor of art history from showing this painting, lest it harm observant Muslims in class, is just as absurd as asking a biology professor not to teach evolution because it may offend evangelical Protestants in the course.
https://www.chronicle.com/article/most-of-all-i-am-offended-as-a-muslim
https://banished.substack.com/p/most-of-all-i-am-offended-as-a-muslim
bsiebs
(688 posts)tenderfoot
(8,438 posts)Seems that she's the only one that can get away with having professors fired.
Biophilic
(3,689 posts)Per an earlier article, this professor gave several warnings ahead of time, was willing to discuss with students who might not be ok with showing the picture, it was written ahead of time in her syllabus. Then someone complained, I haven't heard who or how many and suddenly she loses her job. There seems to be more going on here than innocent religious feelings, but I haven't been able to find anything except the basics of the story. Who complained and why would a single complaint (if that was what it was) cause a professor to lose her job? This isn't the whole story, but I don't know what is and I find it really, really disturbing since I believe our universities are the last bastion of intellectual freedom and free thinking.
dalton99a
(81,566 posts)Biophilic
(3,689 posts)the professor gave multiple warnings and offered students the chance to leave and not have to see the image. It seems as though we have been told by Hamilton College that it is better to deprive all the students of learning. I still feel very badly about this. I so strongly believe in the importance of academic freedom and the individual's choice of what they wish to experience and learn. But I appreciate being able to read the article.
Timeflyer
(1,998 posts)sure, why not.
treestar
(82,383 posts)It is art and it exists. People need to not take the class if it's going to get them that upset. The rest of us have every right to see or do art that depicts Mohamed.
I recall the Australian indigenous people don't like photos of dead people. There were warnings in a museum film that such photos were ahead. Maybe they could do that in the course description.
Otherwise, giving in to that is just stupid.
dsc
(52,166 posts)and she also, before she showed the image said she would and said people could leave, the student chose to stay and then complain.
dsc
(52,166 posts)the syllabus stated the art would be shown, she was told, repeatedly on the day of the lecture that the art would be shown and that she could and should leave if it would bother her, she was offered the ability to discuss it. Instead she refused to read or listen.
MN2theMax
(1,425 posts)Maybe okay for TX or FL, but I thought MN was better than this. Sounds to me like this professor was super careful not to offend, and still the professor is targeted. I thought Hamline was better than this. Arrrgh!
jaxexpat
(6,843 posts)However, when bureaucrats with authority over think things, freedom is under threat.
dlk
(11,574 posts)The adjunct should be reinstated, unless, of course, shes teaching at a religious institution.
dflprincess
(28,082 posts)Last edited Sun Jan 8, 2023, 11:10 PM - Edit history (1)
As long as I've lived in the area, I had to Google Hamline to check which denomination it's affiliated with.
Their statement on religion makes it sound that it is open to students of all beliefs & to those who don't believe. I'm guessing they're going overboard in this case to avoid being accused of not respecting Islam. Not that that excuses the school.
https://www.hamline.edu/life-at-hamline/personal-wellness/wesley-center/religion-spirituality
dlk
(11,574 posts)Respecting others religious Beliefs is one thing. Expecting others to practice them is another.
dlk
(11,574 posts)Respecting others religious Beliefs is one thing. Expecting others to practice them is another.
James48
(4,438 posts)Come on America, we can do better.
PlutosHeart
(1,284 posts)been the scapegoat and center of some very significant well-covered hot topic race related media pieces.
There is a reason for this. And that is the desire to turn the state deep red. It is being done through murders by cop, school incidences and an army of other things.
There are a handful of very good liberal Universities recently targeted via "funds" (Koch type) in order to further diminish the liberal arts in these schools. I believe Hamlin was one of them mentioned.
They will run with this and soak every ounce for it to further divide and conquer. Doesn't matter if a student complained. It really is not about that. It is about shredding the fabric of this State and poking at the Islamic community one way or another. It is about dumbing down of our finest educational institutions.
harumph
(1,910 posts)The whole thing is preposterous.
Dr. Strange
(25,922 posts)It is about shredding the fabric of this State and poking at the Islamic community one way or another. It is about dumbing down of our finest educational institutions.
who do you think is doing that here? It's not the Koch types. This dumbing down is coming from a Muslim student, with the support of the school's administration. Will the right run with this as an example of wokeness gone mad? Absolutely! Which is all the more reason not to pull these kind of stupid stunts.
live love laugh
(13,124 posts)RexLipton
(69 posts)would it be considered free speech then?
Warpy
(111,327 posts)and the men who fired her are almost beyond ignorant.
I think she will most likely be reinstated. If not, there's a helluva lawsuit in this one, so many cans of worms were opened.
RussBLib
(9,030 posts)...the Koran does not prohibit depictions of Mohammed. That is a more-recent invention by the fanatical, insane followers of Islam.
I may not have a full understanding.
mzmolly
(51,003 posts)is not a religious school and should not have to adhere to religious doctrines.
czarjak
(11,287 posts)maxsolomon
(33,363 posts)The issue is whether they're entitled to not have those beliefs insulted. I'd posit that America does not afford you that right.
What is a "New Testament Christian"?
SYFROYH
(34,183 posts)Unfortunately, we on the left have help create the cancel culture due to being offended by speech.
It sucks.
progressoid
(49,993 posts)Celerity
(43,482 posts)rubbersole
(6,721 posts)DBoon
(22,395 posts)an underpaid position with no job protection
She is a classic scapegoat - when a controversy occurs, punish the most powerless person involved
maxsolomon
(33,363 posts)It's when a Hamline Admin called her actions "Islamophobic" that she took issue.
The school held a forum and a different Hamline prof (of religion) argued back against the Muslim Student's Assoc leader, the Admin told him it wasn't the time. Basically, they're afraid.