Heb 10

I knew coming to Madison meant moving to a liberal town and certainly people have a right to express their political beliefs. However, I think it can become a problem in the classroom when a professor teaches from a bias one way or the other. I experienced this issue in a class last semester.
Last fall I took a sociology class called Contemporary American Society. It was supposed to be an overview of how society functions and the issues in America today. As an introductory class it should have been a general overview. From the first day, our professor admitted his own liberal bias and informed us that the class would be taught from that perspective. However, the bias left out a completely valid counter argument. We were required to watch weekly documentaries that were very much propaganda pieces that took vicious attacks at any Republican ideas. Our professor was by some students which led to a large class debate. Any discontent was dismissed since the first day of class brought warning. Perhaps the issue was even more sensitive in an election year as there was a clear agenda and candidate we were being pushed to follow.
Every person has political views and they do have the right to share them, but a professor should not use his position to recommend political agenda and even speak for certain political candidates. This seems especially pertinent in an introductory level course that should be providing a wide survey of information. If a professor does choose to share his political beliefs with the class, there is no need to go on rants claiming all businessmen are “greedy bastards.” The classroom should be a place of tolerance and respect, not a political stump.
Certainly there are classes that may require a more political slant like studies in political theory. While discussion of political views is natural, there still should be no agenda forced on students. For example, my political science professor, who has chosen not reveal his political preference, teaches the class from a well-rounded perspective.
However, I find the Florida bill also corrupt in its message. I do not think universities explicitly hire liberal professors. As Krugman mentions, it is natural occurence since many people choosing to enter teaching tend to me more liberal than those in white collar jobs. The bias should be removed from the classroom setting, but we cannot create some quota system assuring that faculty political views are well rounded. We cannot force people to think a certain way to meet some standard; instead, we must respect their political reviews and expect the same from them. Nonetheless, political bias should be kept out of the classroom so students can determine their own political views and not those of their professor.