2008 Woodie Awards
Classes meet politics
By: Mike Ellis
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Voices
But outlining the problem doesn't offer any solutions, the solutions usually suggested are either far worse than the problem or just unfeasible.
A quota system (not even supported by the author of the 101 Most Dangerous Academics) of half-liberal, half-conservative hardly sounds like the answer.
Paying professors six-figure salaries probably isn't realistic, but I imagine that would be one of the better ways to get more conservatives, and smarter liberals, on board. Asking, or even considering, "Have you now, or have you ever been a member of a political party?" seems kinda, I dunno, wrong?
Maybe it just is politics. Republicans used to, as their party platform, oppose the Department of Education.
Since conservatives believe colleges (along with most everything else) need to cut some fat, is it any wonder professors tend to favor and support Democrats?
At the heart of the argument that professors should keep their politics in their pocket, is the argument that students can be swayed so easily. I have a little more faith in peoples' convictions and a little less in instructor's abilities to make us change our minds.
A quota system (not even supported by the author of the 101 Most Dangerous Academics) of half-liberal, half-conservative hardly sounds like the answer.
Paying professors six-figure salaries probably isn't realistic, but I imagine that would be one of the better ways to get more conservatives, and smarter liberals, on board. Asking, or even considering, "Have you now, or have you ever been a member of a political party?" seems kinda, I dunno, wrong?
Maybe it just is politics. Republicans used to, as their party platform, oppose the Department of Education.
Since conservatives believe colleges (along with most everything else) need to cut some fat, is it any wonder professors tend to favor and support Democrats?
At the heart of the argument that professors should keep their politics in their pocket, is the argument that students can be swayed so easily. I have a little more faith in peoples' convictions and a little less in instructor's abilities to make us change our minds.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Kyle Warber
posted 2/22/08 @ 3:20 AM EST
It's not about being conservative or liberal....it's about being objective. Dennis and people like me don't have a problem with our liberal professors because of their politics, we have a problem because they find it impossible to be objective. (Continued…)
Reader
posted 2/22/08 @ 3:32 PM EST
Who is this liberal professor, MIke Ellis? I assume it's Gary Peters, but nobody has ever attacked Gary Peters for being a liberal.
Post a Comment