UCF professor Jonathan Matusitz has drawn criticism and sparked a discussion on free speech and classroom content after lecturing in his terrorism and communication class.
The class aims to explain, “How terrorism is a communication process. How mass media, symbols, linguistic devices, e-terrorism, and theoretical dimensions play a role in terrorism. How communities respond to terrorist attacks,” according to theUCF 2013-2014 Undergraduate Course Catalog.
Matusitz said he hopes that students leave his class with a better understanding and an increased awareness of the role of terrorism.
The tenured professor has received several accusations of spewing anti-Muslim hate and bigotry, many of which are linked to his public presentation, “How Culture Shapes Terrorism,” which was delivered on Jan. 31 in the Business Administration Building, according to the Nicholson School of Communication website.
The presentation was recorded and posted on YouTube by several groups including The Florida Council on American-Islamic Relations. The non-profit organization, CAIR-FL, operates with the mission to “enhance understanding of Islam, encouragedialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding,” according to its website.
In the video, Matusitz said, “Why do so many Muslims relative to other religions want to kill us? The answer is easy. Very easy. It’s seven letters: culture.”
In a letter to the dean of the College of Sciences, CAIR-FL wrote: “His presentations on these subjects are full of anti-Muslim bigotry in the form of hate speech, inaccuracies, sweeping generalizations and stereotypes that would mislead students to believe that all Islamic societies are nothing more than violent, hate-filled terrorist factories …”
The organization requested that courses taught by Matusitz be reviewed by the College of Sciences. However, according to Matusitz, no such review was ever carried out.
Matusitz said the university has never infringed on his right to express his own opinions. “UCF has been excellent allowing a diversity of viewpoints,” he said.
“One of the university’s five goals has been to ‘become more inclusive and diverse,’” Grant Heston, associate vice president of communication and public affairs at UCF, said in an email. “However, freedom of expression is fundamental to a university’s mission, even when we disagree with it.”
UCF’s official statement regarding the issue was: “Dr. Matusitz is expressing his opinion, which is his right. He is not speaking on behalf of the university and we do not endorse his views.”
ISLAMIST CAIR KEEPS TRYING TO SILENCE ALL THOSE WHO EXPOSE REAL ISLAM.
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