Professors say political opinions don't affect teaching
By JENNA NIELSEN
The issue of politics in the classroom is a controversial topic on America’s
college campuses today.
Many students and professors have their view on whether or not politics
should be checked at the door, and how far institutions should go to protect
students’ academic freedom.
Political intolerance has become a common issue and the debate between
professors and students has been heating up. As teachers’ freedom
of speech is protected, some students are arguing their freedom to learn
must be protected in the same way.
At Fresno State, professors and students seem to agree that the expression
of partisan political views in class is fine as long as it is presented
that way, and contrasting opinions are present and welcomed.
Many professors like to keep their individual party affiliation to themselves
and welcome discussion on both sides of the spectrum. Management professor
Tom Burns agrees it is hard to teach without showing your values, but
he does give opposing views to situations. “Professors need to be
careful not to portray too much of their values,” Burns said. Burns
doesn’t consider himself liberal or conservative and believes how
you approach a topic depends on the subject area.
Economics professor Don Leet also tries to get students to see all sides.
“I allow students to think for themselves,” Leet said. He
thinks a reasonable case should be made for all arguments and that why
you think a certain way should be emphasized.
Finance and business law professor Patricia LaRosa also tries to remain
neutral in class discussions. “I don’t like to project my
political views on the class,” LaRosa said. She feels the need to
give both sides on an issue in order to remain objective.
Political science professor Mark Somma thinks there are a number of sides
rather than just two. “Even the most liberal people have conservative
views,” and vice versa, Somma said. Michael Becker, also a political
science professor, agrees there are many sides to different issues. “If
I am asked, I don’t hesitate to say where I stand, but I try and
get students to think in different theoretical perspectives,” Becker
said.
Students on campus don’t think all professors remain non-partisan
all the time, but they don’t have a big problem with professors
expressing their individual views. History and political science major
Cynthia Oliphant, said some professors express their partisan views and
some don’t. “I don’t have a problem if they have a point
of view as long as they back it up,” Oliphant said.
Other students agree that professors should give their biased opinion
as long as it is relevant to the subject matter and they don’t grade
unfairly if a student expresses opinions opposite to theirs. Brent Bird,
a senior management major, said professors should inject their own personal
opinions. “As long as they let you debate or argue, I don’t
mind if they say their own personal opinion on a matter,” Bird said.
Political science major Marcy DeFendis said she thinks professors should
give their view on topics as long as they don’t press it on the
student too much. “I don’t mind if they express their views,
but if you have to agree with them to get a good grade then I think that
is wrong,” DeFendis said.
DeFendis brings up a point that has become a major concern to various
organizations today.
A nation-wide concern among students is when expression of individual
opinion becomes intolerance to different views.
Numerous websites such as noindoctrination.org and studentsforacademicfreedom.org
are providing a place for students to go to file complaints about professors
who engage in what they call in-class indoctrination.
A poll conducted by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni found
that professors do inject politics in class and that 29% of students feel
compelled to agree with their teachers in order to get a good grade. Half
of students interviewed at 50 leading American colleges said that professors
inject politics into classroom discussions even if the comments have nothing
to do with the subject being taught.
More than 45 percent said professors use the classroom to present personal
political views and 42 percent assign readings that present only one side
of a controversial issue.
The ACTA poll found students are influenced by politics in the classroom
and organizations are trying to address that concern in their own way.
Academic freedom has become a concern at a number of America’s top
colleges and universities. The debate is intensifying and both professors
and students have their own feelings on exactly what should be said and
done regarding politics in the classroom.
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