Marxist Professors Are Gift to Climate Skeptics

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The author is echoing a long held belief (or conspiracy) among many on the Right, that our university and colleges are indoctrinating their students to wacky liberal (see Marxism) ideals. They can't seem to wrap their head around the idea that a college education is a liberal endeavor. It exposes the student to different viewpoints and challenges the student's own views. In their mind, they envision social science courses to provide their students with one right answer to every issue, even though the real world doesn't work that way.

OMFG! Do you really believe that? Critical Correct Thinking is the underlying syllabus, my commie friend! Why do you think most people mature and adopt more conservative views long after they leave college?

Edited December 28, 2009 by Lone Ranger

[Ban Hammer 14,570]

The author is echoing a long held belief (or conspiracy) among many on the Right, that our university and colleges are indoctrinating their students to wacky liberal (see Marxism) ideals. They can't seem to wrap their head around the idea that a college education is a liberal endeavor. It exposes the student to different viewpoints and challenges the student's own views. In their mind, they envision social science courses to provide their students with one right answer to every issue, even though the real world doesn't work that way.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

OMFG! Do you really believe that? Critical Correct Thinking is the underlying syllabus, my commie friend! Why do you think most people mature and adopt more conservative views long after they leave college?

Can you give a concrete example?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Can you give a concrete example?

You never been to college? I had a long private talk with my minority studies professor when I suggested there was a big difference between Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

I had my department head refer to me as "Doctor Death" because I happened to be in the National Guard at the time.

A deserter during Desert Storm gave a talk to the students, and he was given a standing ovation. Anyone who criticized the yellow ####### was shouted down.

Those are a few examples that come to mind.

The best was when the former head of TASS gave a lecture at the University. He was most critical of the Marxist mindset the pervades the US higher education.

It is impossible to get a job in secondary education in Sonoma County unless you are an activist member of the Democratic party. No, I think you do not realize the degree to which hippies have infiltrated and ruined education in America.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

You never been to college? I had a long private talk with my minority studies professor when I suggested there was a big difference between Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action.

I had my department head refer to me as "Doctor Death" because I happened to be in the National Guard at the time.

A deserter during Desert Storm gave a talk to the students, and he was given a standing ovation. Anyone who criticized the yellow ####### was shouted down.

Those are a few examples that come to mind.

The best was when the former head of TASS gave a lecture at the University. He was most critical of the Marxist mindset the pervades the US higher education.

It is impossible to get a job in secondary education in Sonoma County unless you are an activist member of the Democratic party. No, I think you do not realize the degree to which hippies have infiltrated and ruined education in America.

I was looking for an example of where you were taught "Correct Thinking" vs. Critical Thinking. Many colleges and universities bring controversial guests to speak...that isn't an endorsement of the views, even if they are cheered on by students. That's the idea of allowing students to express different views.

I've taken courses at a community college, a state university, and a private college. My mother worked as a secretary in the social science dept. of the very community college I attended and could tell you that most of the professors there were Right of Center. In fact, one professor in particular, Mr. Lillard, also happened to be my Free Enterprise teacher back in High School, where he made us watch videos of Milton Friedman's opinion on economics. Did I feel indoctrinated? Nope. Did it bother me? Nope. By the time I was in High School, I was capable of making up mind on my own. Had Mr. Lillard made us watch videos of Paul Krugman on economics, particularly in today's political climate, I can imagine a firestorm of protests from Right Wingers.

As I said earlier, a college education is a liberal endeavor. It allows for the students to develop critical thinking skills. Heck, one of my first courses at my community college was a required class called Critical Reading. The teacher was a self-confessed Conservative. In fact, during the class, we had to give a speech in class on the upcoming presidential election (Dukakis v. Bush senior). I was one of maybe 3 in the class that supported Dukakis. The teacher and most of students boldly declared they were dye-in-the-wool Republicans. Did I feel threatened by that? Nope. Did I feel I wasn't allowed to think for myself? Nope.

[nowhereman 1]

OMFG! Do you really believe that? Critical Correct Thinking is the underlying syllabus, my commie friend! Why do you think most people mature and adopt more conservative views long after they leave college?

Some people drift from liberal ideas to conservative & some drift from conservative to liberal. For example I was a Republican in my early adult days but W's tenure as President pushed me towards the middle (and away from what IMO is a GOP that can't hold a candle to the GOP of the 80's). I led a sheltered life (small town in NY) until I joined the Army at 17 & saw the world so to assume that people "wise up" & drift towards being conservative after some real life experience is simply an incorrect assumption.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Some people drift from liberal ideas to conservative & some drift from conservative to liberal. For example I was a Republican in my early adult days but W's tenure as President pushed me towards the middle (and away from what IMO is a GOP that can't hold a candle to the GOP of the 80's). I led a sheltered life (small town in NY) until I joined the Army at 17 & saw the world so to assume that people "wise up" & drift towards being conservative after some real life experience is simply an incorrect assumption.

Don't you know all those liberal professors just haven't grown up?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Don't you know all those liberal professors just haven't grown up?

It's true! Some folks never ever venture into the real world.

I remember one computer science professor that was not offered tenure and a full professorship. He left in a huff, spent a year working for a container shipping company writing assembly code (his only talent), and returned sheepishly, with his tail between his legs. I must admit, however, the experience did a lot to mellow his attitude!

[nowhereman 1]

It's true! Some folks never ever venture into the real world.

I remember one computer science professor that was not offered tenure and a full professorship. He left in a huff, spent a year working for a container shipping company writing assembly code (his only talent), and returned sheepishly, with his tail between his legs. I must admit, however, the experience did a lot to mellow his attitude!

There are just as many clueless individuals on both ends of the spectrum... for every liberal professor who spent years getting an education but never experienced the real world there is a right wing redneck who bases his opinions entirely on growing up in a backwards little town in the middle of nowhere. Both of these examples are of course stereotypes & most people fall somewhere in between.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There are just as many clueless individuals on both ends of the spectrum... for every liberal professor who spent years getting an education but never experienced the real world there is a right wing redneck who bases his opinions entirely on growing up in a backwards little town in the middle of nowhere. Both of these examples are of course stereotypes & most people fall somewhere in between.

I think the data would probably disagree with your thesis. The left has made an active campaign to influence education in the US, whereas the right has definitely missed that opportunity. That the university breeds liberalism should come as no shock, from a rather realistic observation, decades old: "Youth without idealism has no heart, but to lack pragmatism in later life, is to be a fool."

ETA: I have no idea what that professor's political ideas were. The truth is, most instructors don't wear their politics on their sleeves. Once you get them in a social setting, that is another matter.

Edited December 31, 2009 by Lone Ranger

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I think the data would probably disagree with your thesis. The left has made an active campaign to influence education in the US, whereas the right has definitely missed that opportunity. That the university breeds liberalism should come as no shock, from a rather realistic observation, decades old: "Youth without idealism has no heart, but to lack pragmatism in later life, is to be a fool."

The purpose of a college education is to liberate one's mind. If any student should feel threatened by such a notion, I'd recommend they find some trade school that focuses on the nuts and bolts of a particular trade, without dabbling into literature or art. God forbid a student should contemplate abstract concepts or ideas.

It is the mark of an educated man to entertain a thought without accepting it. ~ Aristotle

[Pooky 3,929]

The purpose of a college education is to liberate educate one's mind. If any student should feel threatened by such a notion, I'd recommend they find some trade school that focuses on the nuts and bolts of a particular trade, without dabbling into literature or art. God forbid a student should contemplate abstract concepts or ideas.

It is the mark of an educated man to entertain a thought without accepting it. ~ Aristotle

Fixed it for you.

Edited December 31, 2009 by Pooky

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

The purpose of a college education is to liberate one's mind. If any student should feel threatened by such a notion, I'd recommend they find some trade school that focuses on the nuts and bolts of a particular trade, without dabbling into literature or art. God forbid a student should contemplate abstract concepts or ideas.

It is the mark of an educated man to entertain a thought without accepting it. ~ Aristotle

To liberate a mind from what? 12 years of wasted effort? Or, from the prejudices of their upbringing the prior 18 years?

Better yet, how do you propose to liberate a mind? By exposing it to new ideas? Do some ideas have more validity than others? At what point does that become indoctrination?

No, the purpose of higher education is to pursue a discipline, or disciplines, toward a goal, like making a living, and becoming an active participant in society. General education, while fun at times, is a diversion from that goal.

As my step dad said on his death bed, "Remember Bill, it is just a piece of paper. It really doesn't matter what you have to do to get it."

[nowhereman 1]

I think the data would probably disagree with your thesis. The left has made an active campaign to influence education in the US, whereas the right has definitely missed that opportunity. That the university breeds liberalism should come as no shock, from a rather realistic observation, decades old: "Youth without idealism has no heart, but to lack pragmatism in later life, is to be a fool."

ETA: I have no idea what that professor's political ideas were. The truth is, most instructors don't wear their politics on their sleeves. Once you get them in a social setting, that is another matter.

Although I do agree that in general colleges foster a more liberal environment the original title of the thread is based in ignorance (and I too have no idea what the professor's views are). As for my thesis that ignorance can be readily found on both ends of the political spectrum we just need to agree to disagree on that point. Moreover as I stated earlier I have experienced the real world & gravitated towards the center (from the right) & I know of many other individuals who have done the same (so again we just need to agree to disagree that conservative = worldly).

[one...two...tree 2,762]

To liberate a mind from what? 12 years of wasted effort? Or, from the prejudices of their upbringing the prior 18 years?

Better yet, how do you propose to liberate a mind? By exposing it to new ideas? Do some ideas have more validity than others? At what point does that become indoctrination?

No, the purpose of higher education is to pursue a discipline, or disciplines, toward a goal, like making a living, and becoming an active participant in society. General education, while fun at times, is a diversion from that goal.

As my step dad said on his death bed, "Remember Bill, it is just a piece of paper. It really doesn't matter what you have to do to get it."

Here's a good explanation of what it means...

Some important developments in the United States since the founding of Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania, in 1832 are briefly traced, and the role of colleges in preparing graduates to meet future challenges that are difficult to predict is addressed. The philosophy of education that has been followed by Gettysburg College since its founding includes the idea that liberal education liberates the mind. The curriculum emphasizes the following elements: logical thinking and clear use of language, broad diverse subject matter, and rigorous introduction to the assumptions and methods of the sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. Such a comprehensive, coherent program of studies is designed to enable individuals to respond creatively to whatever issues, problems, dilemmas, and challenges may confront them. For instance, in the late 1940s, the big issues of the 1980s (e.g., energy shortage and high levels of inflation) were not foreseen. It is suggested that a breadth of education is needed to serve as preparation for today's problems and for unknown problems of the future. For all social classes and occupational interests, a broad, liberal training rooted in practical real-world problems may be a requisite for survival and satisfaction in the future. The person best able to cope with the new is the one who has the broadest background and is thus the most flexible. In some cases today, colleges are reacting to what is perceived as demands of the market place by cutting back of liberal arts offerings and introducing specialized technical curricula with minimum liberal arts requirements. At the same time, others are emphasizing a renewal for liberal learning studies.

http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/custo...;accno=ED217779