Liberal Bias of US Universities

[Jason]

Conservatives accuse lefties of being brainwashed by a liberal academia. But when I was in school, it seemed like nobody cared about the class, much less were influenced by the professor's views. Most students just want to make the grade and get out and not comment.

Now I do admit there are liberal professors at universities. In fact, there was a poster of Marx waving a peace sign in the math department (at a southern university). But I think generally they are ignored and even a few students might rebel by turning into "South Park (ish)" libertarians.

[Lynx]

Many students are burning large amounts of money in pursuit of a career, not enlightenment. If your career goals are to become an academic, rocking the boat is not a good idea.

[RedHal]

Conservatives accuse lefties of being brainwashed by a liberal academia. But when I was in school, it seemed like nobody cared about the class, much less were influenced by the professor's views. Most students just want to make the grade and get out and not comment.

Now I do admit there are liberal professors at universities. In fact, there was a poster of Marx waving a peace sign in the math department (at a southern university). But I think generally they are ignored and even a few students might rebel by turning into "South Park (ish)" libertarians.

What does Marx have to do with liberalism?

[Yet_Another_Boring_Marxist]

What does Marx have to do with liberalism?

Dumb liberalism has plenty to do with Marx. The kind of liberalism that reads Marx and just concludes that every attempt at bringing socialism in the world was violent just because revolutionaries didn't read Marx enough and we should all just get in a circle and sing "Kumbaya my lord, Kumbaya" until the capitalists cry so hard that they just decide to hand the means of production over on a silver platter

[Lynx]

Ask Rush Limbaugh what Marx has to do with liberalism.

[Skyhilist]

Many students are burning large amounts of money in pursuit of a career, not enlightenment. If your career goals are to become an academic, rocking the boat is not a good idea.

As someone pursuing a career in herpetology, this argument always annoyed the hell out of me. I always here people like this say "You don't need school, educate yourself."

Yeah, that'll work out great. I'll just tell the people I need to get grant money from for research not to worry that I don't have any degrees because I'm "self-educated."

The bottom line is, it's not that I couldn't enlighten myself. That doesn't mean that I'm only seeking a career (and not seeking to learn) by going to college. Obviously, college is the only viable path for learning things for me, so of course I'm going to pursue it. It doesn't mean that I don't want to become enlightened on the subject, it just means that I need a few damned degrees to do what I want to do in life.

[Lynx]

Becoming an expert in herpetology is not what I had in mind by 'enlightenment'. The Humanities are being cut in favor of STEM oriented degrees. Are you even required to take a humanities type course as part of your degree?

I'm in college, and our curriculum is devoted to developing the technical skills required by industry. If I'm successful, I will be a technician, nothing more.

Higher education is a costly, slow and inefficient process. Only 1/3 of jobs in a 'modern' economy require more than a high school diploma. When unemployment is high, education becomes a scam rather than an investment.

Good luck. The way the economy is going, we'll all need some.

[Prometeo liberado]

Explain to me how the average student at Rutgers or Dartmouth openly talks about conservatism and its benefits. The right just indoctinates better than the liberals or us. Plain and simple.

[Skyhilist]

Becoming an expert in herpetology is not what I had in mind by 'enlightenment'. The Humanities are being cut in favor of STEM oriented degrees. Are you even required to take a humanities type course as part of your degree?

I'm in college, and our curriculum is devoted to developing the technical skills required by industry. If I'm successful, I will be a technician, nothing more.

Higher education is a costly, slow and inefficient process. Only 1/3 of jobs in a 'modern' economy require more than a high school diploma. When unemployment is high, education becomes a scam rather than an investment.

Good luck. The way the economy is going, we'll all need some.

Ahh sorry I must've misinterpreted your original statement. I totally agree with that though.

[Lynx]

More often than not, what conservatives describe as 'liberal' bias are humanities courses.

[Jason]

What does Marx have to do with liberalism?

Conservatives think liberalism is some "gateway drug" to Communism.

[cynicles]

Super confusing American political discourse, thank the assholes at The New Republic and Fox for fucking up the language.

[Jason]

It just seems like young guys in college like sports more than some professor's indoctrination.


Dumb liberalism has plenty to do with Marx. The kind of liberalism that reads Marx and just concludes that every attempt at bringing socialism in the world was violent just because revolutionaries didn't read Marx enough and we should all just get in a circle and sing "Kumbaya my lord, Kumbaya" until the capitalists cry so hard that they just decide to hand the means of production over on a silver platter

Some attacks on liberalism are justified. For instance, if Bono of U2 is giving millions to a corrupt African dicatator, then what good is it?

In regards to violence, well obviously professor's couldn't advocate full blown revolution or they'd be locked up for treason. I suppose conservatives think that professors are indocrinating the kids with subliminal thoughts. These ideas can spring into violence at a later date. But as I said, I think most kids are more interested in "Notre Dame vs Ohio State".

Anyhow, I don't think conservatives even believe thier own crap. They're just being a_holes when they tell liberals they were indocrinated in college.

[zoot_allures]

I think most universities probably do lean more towards liberalism. But why would we expect class analysis or Marxism or whatever from liberals?

[Comrade Marxist Bro]

I've had different experiences. Most of my instructors never tried to indoctrinate me or anyone. Some did. But it works both ways. Conservative instructors can also indoctrinate their students, which they often do.

I don't find it surprising that there are more liberal and left-wing professors, especially in the social sciences, than one would extrapolate from the general population. They're pretty intelligent people. Plus, their work requires them to examine society, so it's no wonder that they're better informed than U.S. conservatives whose political education mainly comes from sources like church, family, and Fox News.

[Jason]

I've had different experiences. Most of my instructors never tried to indoctrinate me or anyone. Some did. But it works both ways. Conservative instructors can also indoctrinate their students, which they often do.

I don't find it surprising that there are more liberal and left-wing professors, especially in the social sciences, than one would extrapolate from the general population. They're pretty intelligent people. Plus, their work requires them to examine society, so it's no wonder that they're better informed than U.S. conservatives whose political education mainly comes from sources like church, family, and Fox News.

Some support from Fox comes from angry white males who feel betrayed by society. One of the biggest betrayals was the American loss in Vietnam, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. So anyhow, they want everthing white washed and to thier liking.

Now you did mention that some people on Fox were "less informed". I don't think that's true for many of them. However, they are arrogant, as I explained above.

[NGNM85]

Conservatives accuse lefties of being brainwashed by a liberal academia. But when I was in school, it seemed like nobody cared about the class, much less were influenced by the professor's views. Most students just want to make the grade and get out and not comment.

Now I do admit there are liberal professors at universities. In fact, there was a poster of Marx waving a peace sign in the math department (at a southern university). But I think generally they are ignored and even a few students might rebel by turning into "South Park (ish)" libertarians.

In my experience, most of the professors I've met, especially in the History department, which is my major, tend to be Left-leaning. However; most of them tended not to make a big deal about it. I would argue that this is to be expected. I am similarly skeptical about professors having such a powerful effect on their students' minds. This is just Right-wing boilerplate bullshit. People like Sean Hannity, or Rick Santorum love to crywank about how they were victimized by the Left-wing intelligentsia, but I think this is just hot air to compensate for the fact that they have bad ideas, or they were mediocre students. (Or; both, perhaps.)

[#FF0000]

I remember Hannity had his teacher from NYU on his show once and his professor pointed out that he was teaching at NYU and had too many students to give a shit about punishing hannity for his political views lol

[Jason]

Now I don't agree with "picking on people" for having moderately different views. I don't like it when a person of an opposing viewpoint bullies you, because you don't conform to his way of thinking. That's assuming your not being an ass about your views.

[Fire]

I agree universities have a liberal bias just not the same liberal that you're probably thinking of.