Why do professors jam politics down your throat?!

[NewJersey]

I was sick of this in college when professors enfused politics into the lecture, unless of course it was a polisci class, when debate was more appropriate. I don't care for it when they are liberal or conservative or moderate or what have you. I'm there to learn; not to hear what their political views are.

In college, when it did happen (not that often; accounting professors stuck to teaching the material) they were on the anti-Bush side. I'm about as anti Bush as they come, but it has no place in teaching, IMO.

The last two classes for my cpa review, the lecturer went on and on about how much he disdains the governor and the Democrats for the budget crisis. Not only did he not have his facts straight, but I'm there to review material to pass the CPA exam, not listen to his political views. The class should have taken 4 hours, with his schpiel (sp?) it took 5 hours.

So, if any college professors are reading this, stick with teaching the material instead of speaking your liberal or conservative political views.

 

[Tiggeroo]

I"m a student now, again and hate this. It makes you very uncomfortable if you don't agree with the profs politics. Generally when they do this it's to bash the other side. I was in a political party class where the professor kept things very non-part He even had a vote at the end of the semester to see if anybody could guess his political party which they couldn't. How refreshing.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I know what you mean. I hate that professors take their position to try and sway students to believe as they do. I guess I can see it being okay in a private school but it really bugs me in a state school. I know that as an elementary teacher it is forbidden to push my views on my students. How is it that it is okay for professors to present an unbalanced view to their sudents. I agree with you totally.

 

[AllyandJack]

I think I got really lucky in college and law school. Most of my classes in college were biologically centered, so we never got around to political discussions. Although, I did have a nasty argument with a twerp in the dining hall about the race for Senator at that time. Hello, I'm eating my dinner....you saw me 10 hours ago shaking hands with the candidate you didn't like and you think it's a GREAT idea to confront me over it? L-O-S-E-R.

In law school....9-11 just happened, so arguing over politics just didn't seem important.

 

[powellrj]

I know what you mean. I hate that professors take their position to try and sway students to believe as they do. I guess I can see it being okay in a private school but it really bugs me in a state school. I know that as an elementary teacher it is forbidden to push my views on my students. How is it that it is okay for professors to present an unbalanced view to their sudents. I agree with you totally.

I wish the same could be said for High School teachers around here. Both my DSs have come home from school shaking they are so mad at some of the views their teachers have forced on them. When you have a DB in Iraq, you don't need the views of your biology teacher on the war in Iraq, nor do you need to know your english teachers view on abortion.

 

[yearbook50]

I'm a kinda conservative Republican who moved up North to Mass because WPI gave her a free ride.

They didn't tell me in this free ride that I would be blasted by liberal speeches by almost all my professors. One of my professors I had for Physics is attempting to run for president in 2008 as a Liberterian Party.

I understand that MA is a liberal state. I just wasn't expecting this. I'm going to a school that specializes in Engineers.
Engineering != politics.
Engineering = Calculus
Engineering = Computers
Engineering = a nonbias process

/me steps off of her soap box

 

[DawnCt1]

I'm a kinda conservative Republican who moved up North to Mass because WPI gave her a free ride.

They didn't tell me in this free ride that I would be blasted by liberal speeches by almost all my professors. One of my professors I had for Physics is attempting to run for president in 2008 as a Liberterian Party.

I understand that MA is a liberal state. I just wasn't expecting this. I'm going to a school that specializes in Engineers.
Engineering != politics.
Engineering = Calculus
Engineering = Computers
Engineering = a nonbias process

/me steps off of her soap box

All of my college kids found the same thing. DS #2 had a foreign engineering/math professor that expounded on "the evils of President Bush" all of the time. Most of his engineering professors were more conservative or apolitical. DS#3 said that worst ranting professor was the one that taught Jewish Literature. It was a daily harange.

 

[Hillbeans]

This is now the same reason I can't stand certain musicians or actors anymore. I don't know why teachers expect their students to care about their political musings?

 

[Bob Slydell]

Why do they do it? Because they have a captive audience and a podium.

 

[NewJersey]

This is now the same reason I can't stand certain musicians or actors anymore. I don't know why teachers expect their students to care about their political musings?

Hi Central jersey!

 

[mickeyfan2]

Because they have more education than you do so they MUST know what is best. The problem is they are just knowledgable in only a small spectrum and usually politics is not it. Try working with them. Can be so unbearable.

 

[Crankyshank]

I work at the medical school that is part of one of the most liberal colleges in the country and there's very little political discussions that go on at work.

I go to a Dominican College (previously I went to another small college) and have had a professor grandstand politically in any of my classes and I'm a history major which would be a prime subject to cram in political opinions.

 

[Hillbeans]

Hi Central jersey!

Back at ya Central Jersey!

 

[GeorgeG]

Why do they do it? Because they have a captive audience and a podium.

Exactly! This is nothing new, either. A lot of the problems back in the 60s were fueled by college professors and teachers stirring things up. There was a book "None Dare Call It Treason" that suggested the Communist Party had infiltrated the National Education Association in the late 40s and had altered textbooks and targeted impressionable, idealistic students with negative views on our government and leaders. Of course, everything was blamed on the Communists back then.

I didn't put much stock in that theory then and stilll don't. Whatever the case may be and as much as everyone is entitled to their political views, the classroom is not a place to express them. The same goes with celebrities. Don't take advantage of a captive audience.

 

[Planogirl]

It's strange but I don't remember a single prof going on and on about anything political. I guess that I got lucky.