UA students, professors debate role of political views in the classroom
Jordain Carney
Issue date: 4/15/09 Section: News
Politics is a touchy subject for those on opposite sides of the political spectrum, and recent debates around the nation question the right for college professors to voice their political beliefs in the classroom.
"Professors need to be careful to distinguish instruction from indoctrination," said Lisa Hinrichsen, an associate professor in the Department of English. "Professors have no legitimate license to make the classroom a politically biased space - such a project would interfere with the goals of free academic inquiry fundamental to higher education."
Hinrichsen said she does not bring religious, political or personal beliefs into the classroom, but will create links between what the students read and current real-world events. She also allows students to discuss and react to the literature both analytically and on a personal level.
After searching university faculty policies, Steve Voorhies, manager of UA Media Relations, said he did not find anything regarding professors allowing their own political beliefs to enter the classroom.
Whether it's even possible for professors to teach classes without their own opinions affecting what they teach to students, however, is debated.
"It's best to be open about it," said Chris Elrod, a UA political science major. "It's almost impossible not to be biased."
Elrod said that, particularly in the area of political science, it's difficult for professors not to bring their political opinions into the classroom because those beliefs directly relate to what they are teaching. Therefore, he said, it's better for those professors to let their students know upfront where they stand politically.
According to the UA Faculty Handbook, "Faculty members are responsible for confining classroom discussion to subjects related to the topics of concern in the course and for conducting the class so as to facilitate learning for all students, consistent with good teaching practices."
But the handbook also states that faculty are responsible for determining that what they are teaching is appropriate for each class by whether it accords with the official course description.
Students who are concerned about a particular course leaning toward a certain political spectrum should speak to the chairperson of that department, said Nancy Talburt, vice provost for Academic Affairs.
Physics major Shane Armfield said that if, for example, he were in a Composition I class and the professor were conservative, his grade shouldn't be affected if he wrote a paper with opinions disagreeing with his professor's beliefs because the paper was sound in the areas that should count, like spelling and grammar.
Armfield said professors should not only be careful about teaching according to their political views, but their religious views, as well.
Both Armfield and Elrod agreed that it's OK if a professor and student disagree politically, but if a professor's political bias affects a student's grade in a class, it becomes a problem.
"Professors need to be careful to distinguish instruction from indoctrination," said Lisa Hinrichsen, an associate professor in the Department of English. "Professors have no legitimate license to make the classroom a politically biased space - such a project would interfere with the goals of free academic inquiry fundamental to higher education."
Hinrichsen said she does not bring religious, political or personal beliefs into the classroom, but will create links between what the students read and current real-world events. She also allows students to discuss and react to the literature both analytically and on a personal level.
After searching university faculty policies, Steve Voorhies, manager of UA Media Relations, said he did not find anything regarding professors allowing their own political beliefs to enter the classroom.
Whether it's even possible for professors to teach classes without their own opinions affecting what they teach to students, however, is debated.
"It's best to be open about it," said Chris Elrod, a UA political science major. "It's almost impossible not to be biased."
Elrod said that, particularly in the area of political science, it's difficult for professors not to bring their political opinions into the classroom because those beliefs directly relate to what they are teaching. Therefore, he said, it's better for those professors to let their students know upfront where they stand politically.
According to the UA Faculty Handbook, "Faculty members are responsible for confining classroom discussion to subjects related to the topics of concern in the course and for conducting the class so as to facilitate learning for all students, consistent with good teaching practices."
But the handbook also states that faculty are responsible for determining that what they are teaching is appropriate for each class by whether it accords with the official course description.
Students who are concerned about a particular course leaning toward a certain political spectrum should speak to the chairperson of that department, said Nancy Talburt, vice provost for Academic Affairs.
Physics major Shane Armfield said that if, for example, he were in a Composition I class and the professor were conservative, his grade shouldn't be affected if he wrote a paper with opinions disagreeing with his professor's beliefs because the paper was sound in the areas that should count, like spelling and grammar.
Armfield said professors should not only be careful about teaching according to their political views, but their religious views, as well.
Both Armfield and Elrod agreed that it's OK if a professor and student disagree politically, but if a professor's political bias affects a student's grade in a class, it becomes a problem.
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