NEWS
Survey: Americans believe professors have liberal bias
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- Google makes university libraries available on Internet (February 3, 2005)
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by Emily Bourne
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Half of American adults agree college students are taught with a liberal bias, letting in the possibility to influencing students, according to a survey in the Chronicle of Higher Education.
The majority of respondents to the survey also said this “liberal bias” is brought into the classroom “improperly.”
The Chronicle also reported findings published in American Enterprise Institute’s magazine, which found, of professors surveyed, more than nine out of 10 belonged to the Democratic or Green Party.
Despite the national sentiment and the local reputation as a left-leaning campus, some University of Wisconsin students and faculty say bias is not a problem in this university’s curriculum.
UW political science professor Charles Franklin said while it is “obvious” the majority of UW professors tend to be liberal, there is no discrimination against conservative applicants to faculty positions.
He added conservatives are difficult to find in many areas of study, graduate programs or research programs.
“I think it would be interesting if there were more diversity on campus,” Franklin said.
Franklin acknowledged some professors do share their views more than others, but said this was more a matter of teaching method than an attempt to mold the opinions of students.
“I think people vary a lot in how much they think ideology ought to be part of classroom discussion,” Franklin said.
Though some professors may be more open in their political take, UW sophomore Mallory Evans said in her experience, professors did not explicitly bring their experiences into the classroom.
“Most of my professors try to not reveal their political beliefs,” Evans said.
UW sophomore Stephanie Bergo said her professors do not usually share their opinions outright, but their views are fairly obvious in the end.
However, Bergo said she does not believe professors are trying to convince all students to share their views, because this could get in the way of their ability to teach.
“I think professors mostly just want students to be informed,” Bergo added.
Whether professors do share their views with students or not, Franklin agreed the effects of this on the student body are limited.
Franklin said since he cannot get students to remember a course a week after it ends, he does not think professors can easily cause large changes in students’ political views in the long term. He added he does not think students should adopt opinions based on college professors’ views.
“I want them to do that for themselves,” Franklin said.
Evans said she is not in danger of having her political stance change because of a professor’s opinion.
“I already have my mind made up,” she said.
However, Evans added other students may be in danger of adopting the opinions of their professors instead of forming their own.
“I think it could be harmful to other students who are easily swayed because they may just agree with their professor, thinking they are the most knowledgeable on the topic, so they must be right,” Evans said. “[Students] really need to be able to make up their own minds.”
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 8:21am):
Could it be because most Americans are stupid? Or because education tends to make one more liberal?
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 6:34pm):
That depends on how one defines "education". Many make the mistake of mistaking liberal indoctrination for education.
Almost no college students have ever had to raise a family or earn a living. That's probably a bigger factor in why they're so liberal.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 8:19pm):
"Almost no college students have ever had to raise a family or earn a living. That's probably a bigger factor in why they're so liberal."
Becoming exposed to and learning to accept more than one idea might have something to do with it too.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 10:17pm):
Accepting more than one idea is not a phenomenon I observe very often in Madison.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 10:27pm):
"Accepting more than one idea is not a phenomenon I observe very often in Madison."
Can't argue with that, but it's still generally something that occurs more often among people who have a college education.
Anonymous (November 18, 2004 @ 12:36am):
"almost no college students have ever had to raise a family..."
What does that have to do with faculty bias?
