The First Annual Bedford – United College Lecture Series features Tom Faulkner.
Head, Hand & Heart: The Crowe Affair as Tragedy
Thursday, January 22, 2009
7:00 pm in Convocation Hall
Free & open to the public
Faulkner’s lecture is sponsored by the Faculty of Theology.
The Crowe Affair is one of the most prominent academic freedom cases in Canada. Newly available documents and the fiftieth anniversary make this a relevant time to reconsider the Crowe case and its effect on our University and on academic freedom. Fifty years ago the case stirred up the academic community and was a pivotal case that significantly affected the idea of academic freedom in Canada that is relevant today.
Tom Faulkner is Associate Professor of Church & Society in the Faculty of Theology at The University of Winnipeg, and is also Director of the Ridd Institute for Religion & Global Policy in the Global College. Elsewhere he has served variously as Professor of Comparative Religion, Adjunct Professor of International Development Studies and of Canadian Studies, and has had extensive experience as an academic editor, including Editor-in-chief of Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses and Editor-at-large of The Christian Century. His publications include the articles on “Christianity” and “Protestantism” in The Canadian Encyclopedia and his current research program includes academic freedom in church-related colleges, the religious elements of combat ethics, spiritual care in disaster management, and hockey in Québec. He represents The University of Winnipeg on the Co-ordinating Committee of General Roméo Dallaire’s Child Soldiers’ Initiative and acts for the Canadian Council of Churches in the Cluster Munitions Coalition. He is a layman of The United Church of Canada.
The Crowe Case
The Board of Regents of United College, dismissed Professor Harry S. Crowe for a letter he wrote to a colleague. The letter, obtained by the Principal of the college, was critical of the administration and made disparaging comments about the religious influence over the College. Canadian Association of University Teachers was asked to investigate the matter and appointed a committee. The committee concluded, in their report that Crowe’s dismissal violated due process, natural justice and academic freedom. The committee recommended that Crowe be reinstated. Following the release of the report, three of Crowe’s colleagues stated they planned to resign unless Crowe was re-hired. The Board of Regents eventually agreed to reinstate Crowe, but refused to reconsider the three resignations. In protest, Crowe and 13 other professors left the college.
