The AHA has signed on to a letter by PEN America calling on Texas A&M University to rescind new policies that have censored course content and resulted in major revisions of course syllabi, cancellation of certain classes, and the closure of the university’s Women’s & Gender Studies Program, through which history courses are cross-listed. “These policies limit students’ access to course content related to race, gender, and sexual orientation, and constrain professors’ ability to teach effectively by prohibiting instruction responsive to class discussions or current events,” the letter reads. “Robust commitments to academic freedom ensure faculty can teach freely and without fear of retaliation in their areas of expertise, including on topics related to race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”
