Academia - Religion - Politics: Wheaton College, Illinois, USA - Associate Professor of Political Science, Larycia Hawkins

---------------------------------------- ARTICLE ---------------------------------------- Wheaton College and Professor to ‘Part Ways’ After Her Remarks on Muslims By CHRISTINE HAUSERFEB. 8, 2016 A college professor in Illinois who had been at risk of being fired for her remarks on Islam and Christianity has agreed to “part ways” with the institution. Wheaton College, an evangelical Christian institution, and Larycia Hawkins, an associate professor of political science, said in a joint statement that “they have come together and found a mutual place of resolution and reconciliation.” It continued, ”The college and Dr. Hawkins have reached a confidential agreement under which they will part ways.” The statement released on Saturday gave no further details. But it appeared to be an attempt to close a controversial chapter that involved concerns about academic freedom and that saw the college defending itself against accusations that its actions were anti-Muslim. The events started in December, when Dr. Hawkins, a tenured professor who began teaching there in 2007, posted comments about Islam and Christianity. Muslim communities at the time were the focus of a backlash after terrorist attacks in Paris. “I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book,” she wrote on Facebook, in part, on Dec. 10. “And as Pope Francis stated last week, we worship the same God.” Dr. Hawkins also donned a hijab to show solidarity with Muslims. Less than a week later, Wheaton put Dr. Hawkins on administrative leave with pay over “significant questions regarding the theological implications” of her remarks, saying they seemed inconsistent with the college’s doctrine. The college’s actions set off widespread debate on social media, and hundreds of alumni said in a petition they would reconsider donating to the college. [CONTINUES] http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/09/us/larycia-hawkins-wheaton-college.html ---------------------------------------- COMMENT Found this article interesting from a sociological / political perspective. Not really sure what to make of it overall. ---------------------------------------- Europa-Evropa