JOMC 491/891.951: Free Speech and Sedition at UNL
Oct. 26 - Oct. 28| Friday, 5-10 p.m., Saturday, noon - 5 p.m., Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m. |
Laurie Thomas Lee & John Bender
1 credit hours
What happens when 15 UNL professors and one staff member are accused of being “disloyal” against the government and put on trial before the Board of Regents? This real case of sedition happened exactly one hundred years ago, just as the U.S. declared war against Germany and Austria.
The Nebraska State Council of Defense pressured the university to fire any employee who exhibited even “negative, halting or hesitating” behavior in support of the government. But what about their First Amendment rights and academic freedom? Was the decision fair? Could this happen again today?
We’ll begin this intensive weekend course by attending the play “Sedition” at the Johnny Carson Theatre. Playwright David Wiltse adapted the play from the 1918 trial that charged his grandfather Andrew Schrag, head of the university’s German department, with disloyalty. We’ll then delve into the history of the case and discuss the issues of free speech on campus, dissent against authority, civil discourse, and academic freedom.
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