Normale Sup: le gratin de la recherche mondiale “consterné” par Monique Canto-Sperber (Educ.blog.lemonde.fr22/03/11)

Normale Sup' : le gratin de la recherche mondiale “consterné” par Monique Canto-Sperber

“Nous, soussignés universitaires américains, canadiens et britanniques ayant de nombreux et prolongés contacts avec la France, et qui avons longtemps admiré le rôle historique de l'Ecole normale supérieure dans la vie intellectuelle de ce pays, sommes consternés par les récents événements au sein de cette école”. Ainsi, commence une pétition signée par près de 160 chercheurs internationaux de premier plan de toutes les disciplines, issues des meilleures universités mondiales, comme Berkeley, Oxford ou Columbia. Elle a été évoquée, lundi 21 mars, par le site du Guardian.

Après les universitaires français, qui s'étaient indignés de l'annulation de la conférence de Stéphane Hessel, ce sont les universitaires anglo-saxons qui critiquent vertement la politique de Monique Canto-Sperber . Lancée par Judith Butler, professeure de rhétorique à Berkeley, Michael Harris, professeur de mathématiques à Paris-Diderot, Natalie Zemon Davies, historienne à Toronto et Joan Wallach Scott, historienne à Princeton, cette pétition réunit du très beau monde. De l'incontournable Noam Chomsky, qui est de tous les combats, à l'historien israélien Avi Schlaim en passant par Paola Bacchetta, spécialiste des “gender studies” à Berkeley ou Rashid Khalidi, historien à Columbia.

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A PETITION TO MONIQUECANTO-SPERBER, DIRECTOR,

ECOLE NORMALE SUPÉRIEURE, PARIS

https://sites.google.com/site/academicfreedomens/

We,the undersigned U.S., Canadian and British academics, many of us with longconnections to France, and who have long admired the historic role of the ÉcoleNormale Supérieure in the critical and intellectual life of the country, aredismayed at recent events at the school. The actions of the Director, MoniqueCanto-Sperber, first banning a talk by Stéphane Hessel and then refusing toallow the Colléctif Palestine ENS to hold a meeting on campus, is a denial ofthe rights of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Hessel is 93, aformer ENS student, member of the Resistance, survivor of Buchenwald, one ofthe authors of the UN Declaration of Human Rights and of the recentbest-selling Indignez- vous!/Time for Outrage, in which he (among other things)criticizes Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

Weare not persuaded by the reasoning of the Director or of the Conseil d'État,that these meetings constitute a threat to public order or that they exceed theresponsibility of the ENS to guarantee all students' rights to speech andassembly.

Theaction of the Director is an exception to the school's customary toleration ofpolitical action by students and it is a recurring exception, aimed atsilencing one side in a needed debate about the Israel/Palestine conflict. Webelieve that the Director's action contravenes a long history of free speechand political expression at the ENS as described in its own publicity: “Fordecades, the ENS has been the most prestigious site of French intellectual andscientific life. It participated in all the great intellectual debates ofmodern France, from the Dreyfus Affair to the movements of the 1930's, and fromthe foundation of the human sciences to the avant-garde movements of the1970's.”

We callupon the Director to reverse her decision and to restore academic freedom, apractice long associated with this distinguished institution.

JudithButler, Maxine Elliot Professor of Comparative Literature and Rhetoric, University of California at Berkeley

MichaelHarris, Professor of Mathematics, Université Paris-Diderot

Natalie ZemonDavis, Adjunct Professor of History, Senior Fellow in Comparative Literature, and Professor of Medieval Studies, University of Toronto

Joan WallachScott, Harold F. Linder Professor, School of Social Science, Institute for Advanced Study

Yve-AlainBois, Professor, School of Historical Studies, Institute for Advanced Study

Edmund BurkeIII, Professor of History, University of California at Santa Cruz

Noam Chomsky,Professor (retired), MIT

Edwin E. Daniel, F. R.S.C.,Professor Emeritus of Health Sciences, McMaster University and Universityof Alberta

LaurenceDreyfus, Professor of Music, Magdalen College, Oxford

FreemanDyson, Professor Emeritus, School of Natural Sciences, Institute for Advanced Study

Morris Halle,Institute Professor, MIT

MalcolmLevitt, FRS, Professor of Chemistry, University of Southampton

DavidMumford, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, Brown and Harvard Universities

JacquelineRose, Professor of English, Queen Mary University of London

Graeme Segal,FRS, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, All Souls College, Oxford

Ben-Z. Shek,F.R.S.C., Professor Emeritus of French, University of Toronto

Avi Shlaim,Professor of International Relations, St. Anthony's College, Oxford

RichardTaylor, Professor of Mathematics, Harvard University

James L.Turk, Executive Director, Canadian Association of University Teachers

MarinaWarner, Professor of Literature, University of Essex

Andrew Aisenberg, Associate Professor of History, ScrippsCollege

Gil Anidjar, Associate Professor of Religion, Columbia University

Sara Beam, Associate Professor of History, University of Victoria

Robert Boyce, Senior Lecturerin International History, London School of Economics and PoliticalScience

Kenneth Brown, Retired professor of Social Anthropology, University of Manchester, Editor-in-Chief, Mediterraneans/Méditerrannéennes

Wendy Brown, Professor ofPolitical Science, University of California at Berkeley

Edouard Bustin, Director,Groupe de Recherches sur l'Afrique Francophone, Boston University

Terence Cave, EmeritusProfessor of French Literature, Oxford

Paul Cohen, Associate Professor, Department of History,  Directeur, Centre des Études de la France et du Monde Francophone, University of Toronto

Dara Culhane, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Simon Fraser University

Jonathan Dewald,Distinguished Professor of History, University at Buffalo, The State University ofNew York

Mayanthi Fernando, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Cruz

Peter Fitting, Professoremeritus, French and Cinema Studies, University of Toronto

Carla Freccero, Professor ofLiterature, Director, Center for Cultural Studies, University of Californiaat Santa Cruz

Irene Gendzier, Professor,Dept of Political Science, Boston University

Harvey Goldman, Professor of Sociology, University of California, San Diego

Michael Hardt, Professor ofLiterature, Duke University

David Heap, AssociateProfessor of French and Linguistics, University of Western Ontario

Ann Jefferson, Professor ofFrench, Oxford

Katherine Callen King,Professor, Comparative Literature and Classics, University of Californiaat Los Angeles

Martin Klein, ProfessorEmeritus of History, University of Toronto

Martin Laberge, Professeur agrégé, Histoire européenne/relations internationales, Université du Québec en Outaouais

Cecile Laborde, Professor of Political Theory, University College London

Joan B. Landes, Walter L. and Helen Ferree Professor of Early Modern History and Women's Studies, Pennsylvania State University

Conrad Leyser, Fellow andTutor in History, Worcester College, Oxford

Brian Massumi, Professor ofCommunication, Université de Montréal

Yakov M. Rabkin, Professeur titulaire, Département d'histoire, Université de Montréal

Peter Sahlins, Professor ofHistory, Executive Director of the France-Berkeley Fund,  Universityof California at Berkeley

Samir Saul, Associate Professor of History, Université de Montréal

Philippe Schlenker, Global Distinguished Professor of Linguistics, New York University, and Institut Jean-Nicod, CNRS

Philip Shashko, Professor of History, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Lisa Tiersten, Professor of History, Columbia University

Kate Tunstall, UniversityLecturer (CUF) in French, Worcester College, Oxford

Wes Williams, UniversityLecturer, Fellow and Tutor in French, St. Edmund Hall, Oxford

Robert J. Young, Professor Emeritus of History, University of Winnipeg

Rabab Abdulhadi, Associate Professorof Ethnic Studies, College of Ethnic Studies, San FranciscoState University

Mary Louise Adams, AssociateProfessor, Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University,Kingston

Sylvat Aziz, Professor of Fine Arts,Queen's University, Kingston

Feyzi Baban, Associate Professor,Political Studies Department, Trent University

Paola Bacchetta, Associate Professorof Gender and Women's Studies, University of Californiaat Berkeley

Ian Barnard, Associate Professor ofEnglish, Affiliated Faculty, Queer Studies, California StateUniversity at Northridge

Amy Bartholomew, Associate Professorof Law, Carleton University

Micheline Beaudry, Professeureretraitée (nutrition publique), Université Laval

Roger Beck, Professor Emeritus, Universityof Toronto

Dr G. K. Bhambra, Director of theSocial Theory Centre, University of Warwick

Mario Biagoli, Professor of Law& Science and Technology Studies, University of California atDavis

Hagit Borer, Professor ofLinguistics, University of Southern California

Eileen Boris, Hull Professor andChair, Department of Feminist Studies, University of Californiaat Santa Barbara

Martha Bragin, Associate Professorof Social Work, Hunter College

Haim Bresheeth, Professor of Mediaand Cultural Studies, School of Humanities and Social Sciences,University of East London

Stephen Eric Bronner, DistinguishedProfessor (PII) of Political Science, Rutgers University

Anne Clement, Harvard Academy forInternational and Area Studies, Harvard University

Lynne Cohen, Former Professor ofPhotography, University of Ottawa

Rebecca Comay, Department ofPhilosophy, University of Toronto

Rebecca Coulter, Professor, Facultyof Education, University of Western Ontario

Stephen D'Arcy, Associate Professorof Philosophy, Huron University College

Miriam David, Professor Emerita ofEducation, Institute of Education, University of London

Howard Davidson, Interim Director,Aboriginal Focus Programs, University of Manitoba

Chandler Davis, Professor ofMathematics, University of Toronto

Mary Ellen Davis, Part time faculty,School of Cinema, Concordia University

Eleanor Duckworth, Professor of Education, Harvard University

Geneviève A. Dumas, Professor,Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Queen'sUniversity, Kingston

Peter Eglin, Professor of Sociology,Wilfred Laurier University

Christo El Morr, Adjunct Professorof Information Technology, York University

Nada Elia, Professor of GlobalStudies, Antioch University, Seattle

Randa Farah, Associate Professor ofAnthropology, University of Western Ontario

Gordon Fellman, Professor of Sociology,Brandeis University

L. M. Findlay, Professor of English,University of Saskatchewan

Norman Finkelstein, IndependentScholar

Gavin Fridell, Associate Professor& Chair, Department of Politics, Trent University

Mark Gabbert, Associate Professor ofHistory, University of Manitoba

Jack Gegenberg, Professor ofMathematics, University of New Brunswick

Marvin E. Gettleman, ProfessorEmeritus of Philosophy, Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn

John Gilmore, Member of The Writers' Union of Canada, and former instructor, Education Department, Concordia University, Montréal

Harry Glasbeek, Professor Emeritusand Senior Scholar, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University

Sherna Berger Gluck, ProfessorEmerita of History, California State University at Long Beach

Mark Golden, Professor of Classics,University of Winnipeg

Bluma Goldstein, Professor Emeritaof German, University of California at Berkeley

Peter Gose, Chair of Sociology andAnthropology, Carleton University

Allan Greer, Canada Research Chairin Colonial North America, Department of History, McGillUniversity

Julie Guard, Associate Professor andCoordinator, Labour Studies Program, University of Manitoba

Nadia Habib, Department ofHumanities, York University

Christian Haesemeyer, AssociateProfessor of Mathematics, University of California at Los Angeles

Lisa Hajjar, Associate Professor ofSociology, Chair, Law and Society Program, University ofCalifornia at Santa Barbara

Sondra Hale, Professor ofAnthropology and Women's Studies, University of California atLos Angeles

Robert M. Hamm, Professor, Dept. ofFamily and Preventive Medicine, Director, Clinical  DecisionMaking Program, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Paul Handford, Professor Emeritus ofBiology, University of Western Ontario

Jens Hanssen, Associate Professor ofHistory, University of Toronto

Gillian Hart, Professor ofGeography, University of California at Berkeley

Amir Hassanpour, AssociateProfessor, Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations (ret.), Universityof Toronto

Sudhir Hazareesingh, Fellow inPolitics, Balliol College, Oxford

Henry Heller, Professor of History,University of Manitoba

Sami Hermez, Visiting Fellow, Centrefor Lebanese Studies, St. Anthony's College, Oxford

Elizabeth Shakman Hurd, AssistantProfessor of Political Science, Northwestern University

Viqar Husain, Professor ofMathematics, University of New Brunswick

Radha Jhappan, Professor ofPolitical Science, Carleton University

Andrew M. Johnston, Associate Professor of History, Carleton University

Suad Joseph, Professor ofAnthropology and Women and Gender Studies, University of  Californiaat Davis

Louis Kampf, Professor Emeritus ofEnglish, MIT

Ilan Kapoor, Professor, Faculty ofEnvironmental Studies, York University

Michael Keefer, Professor of EnglishLiterature, School of English and Theatre Studies, Universityof Guelph

Assaf Kfoury, Professor of ComputerScience, Boston University

Rashid Khalidi, Professor ofHistory, Columbia University

Muhammed Ali Khalidi, AssociateProfessor of Philosophy, York University

David Klein, Professor ofMathematics, California State University at Northridge

Ann Hibner Koblitz, Professor ofWomen and Gender Studies, Arizona State University

Neal Koblitz, Professor ofMathematics, University of Washington

Dennis Kortheuer, Department ofHistory, California State University at Long Beach

Clarice Kuhling, Lecturer,Department of Sociology & Department of Contemporary Studies, WilfredLaurier University

Ailsa Land, Emeritus Professor ofOperational Research, London School of Economics

Robert V. Lange, Professor Emeritusof Physics, Brandeis University

Paul Lauter, Allan K. and GwendolynMiles Smith Professor of Literature, Trinity College

Richard Borshay Lee, Professor of Anthropology, University of Toronto

Winnie Lem, International DevelopmentStudies, Trent University

Margaret Little, Professor of GenderStudies and Political Studies, Queen's University, Kingston

David Lloyd, Professor of English,University of Southern California

Yosefa Loshitzky, Professor of Filmand Cultural Studies, University of East London

Andrew Lugg, Professor Emeritus ofPhilosophy, University of Ottawa

Rashmi Luther, Lecturer, School ofSocial Work, Carleton University

Arthur MacEwan, Professor Emeritusof Economics and Senior Fellow, Center for Social Policy,University of Massachusetts Boston

Moshe Machover, Professor Emeritusof philosophy, King's College, London

David McNally, Professor ofPolitical Science, York University

Dr. John McTague, English Faculty,Oxford

William Messing, Professor ofMathematics, University of Minnesota

Haynes Miller, Professor ofMathematics, MIT

Kevin Moloney, Faculty, Dept ofLanguages, Linguistics & Literatures, York University

Joy Moore, Faculty, Dawson College, Montréal

Karen Bridget Murray, AssociateProfessor of Political Science, York University

Karma Nabulsi, Fellow in Politics,St. Edmund Hall, Oxford

Mary-Jo Nadeau, Lecturer, Dept. ofSociology, University of Toronto Mississauga

Joanne Naiman, Professor Emerita ofSociology, Ryerson University, Toronto

Maire Noonan, Assistant Professor ofLinguistics, McGill University

Ingmar Nyman, Associate Professor of Economics, Hunter College

Richard Ohmann, Benjamin WaiteProfessor of English, Emeritus, Wesleyan University

Patricia Palulis, AssociateProfessor, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa

David E Pegg, Professor of Biology,  University of York

Charles Posner, Institute ofEducation, University of London

Garry Potter, Associate Professor ofSociology, Wilfred Laurier University

Trevor Purvis, Assistant Profesor ofLaw and Political Economy, Carleton University

Aneil Rallin, Associate Professor ofRhetoric and Writing Studies, Soka University of America

Denis G. Rancourt, Former Professorof Physics, University of Ottawa

Rush Rehm, Professor of Drama andClassics, Stanford University

Frank Reynolds, Emeritus Professor of History of Religions and Buddhist Studies, University of Chicago

Steven Rose, Emeritus Professor ofBiology, The Open University

Jonathan Rosenhead, EmeritusProfessor of Operational Research, London School of Economics

Marty Roth, Emeritus Professor ofEnglish, University of Minnesota

E. Natalie Rothman, AssistantProfessor of History, University of Toronto

Leila Rupp, Professor of FeministStudies, University of California at Santa Barbara

Claire Schub, Lecturer in French,Tufts University

Alan Sears, Professor of Sociology,Ryerson University, Toronto

Lynne Segal, Anniversary Professor of Psychology & Gender Studies, Birkbeck College, University of London

Eric Smoodin, Professor of AmericanStudies and Film Studies, University of California at  Davis

Metta Spencer, Professor Emeritus ofSociology, University of Toronto

Brian Stock, Professor Emeritus ofComparative Literature, University of Toronto

Bernard Sufrin, Fellow Emeritus inComputation, Worcester College, Oxford

Abdel Razzaq Takriti, JuniorResearch Fellow in Political History, St. Edmund Hall, Oxford

Winnifred Fallers Sullivan, Directorof the Law and Religion Program, University at Buffalo,  TheState University of New York

Oliver Taplin, Emeritus Professor ofClassics, Oxford

Vladimir Tasic, Professor ofMathematics, University of New Brunswick

Andrea Teti, Co-Director, Interdisciplinary Approaches to Violence, Department of Politics and International Relations,
University of Aberdeen

Barrie Thorne, Professor ofSociology, and Gender and Women's Studies, University of Californiaat Berkeley

Eric Urban, Professor ofMathematics, Columbia University

Richard A. Walker, Professor ofGeography, Co-director, Global Metropolitan Studies,  Universityof California at Berkeley

Seth Wigderson, Professor ofHistory, University of Maine, Augusta

Trevor Williams, Professor Emeritus of English, University of Victoria

Howard Winant, Professor ofSociology, Director, UC Center for New Racial Studies, Universityof California at Santa Barbara