Bias in the classroom?

04.11.2005

Today was the last day of class for 105 (they take a quiz on Wednesday, no final exam). But before the final review (and then the teacher evaluations survey forms), I held a short open discussion (which started 10 minutes before class, actually) on academic bias. Essentially, I wondered if they thought academics were biased one way or another.

The consensus seemed to be that, yes, there's a liberal bias among professors (one insisted that this is "a very liberal university"). Not surprisingly, the ones who thought this was a problem (I asked if they ever felt intimidated) were "conservative" students. But many thought it was possible to have bias, and not let it interfere w/ one's ability to teach. Which I think is true. Though a few students wondered whether biases crept into choices of class materials, etc.

Near the end, I did a little experiment. I asked if they thought I was a liberal or conservative or moderate. Most said "moderate", but about the same number said "conservative" as "liberal". When asked if they could guess who I voted for in 2004, quite a few raised their hands. About 60% said "Bush", the rest said "Kerry", and one said "Badnarik". Next, I asked whether they could guess who I voted for in the primaries. Fewer raised hands. Some thought I voted in the GOP primaries; those who guessed the Dem primaries mostly guessed Lieberman or Dean (one because he thought I'd like him as the "best" candidate), and a few others. An interesting mix of answers, which I like (I'd hate if they all guessed correctly).

Speaking of academic bias. Here's a few interesting links from the last week or so: A funny piece from Inside Higher Education & a recent Dartmouth Review study (via Volokh).

Of course, I think all people are biased; the question is whether they're blinded by/to their biases, or whether they're able to overcome them & be fair. Students are easily intimidated by professors. A liberal/conservative/other bias puts intense pressure on them to conform (after all, their grades are in our hands). Abusing that kind of power, even unintentionally, is unethical. I can't say I've always been fair; but I hope I've always tried.

On that note, back to grading.

Posted by Miguel at 06:49 PM

Comments

Great peice. And you're right- when I first started here as a shy, nerdy freshman, my professors did intimidate me. And they frustrated me if they were too liberal. I felt that no matter what I said, they wouldn't respect my opinion. I remember a sense of annoyance as I would walk past their office doors with all sorts of anti-Bush and anti-republican paraphrenelia (sp?). The feeling was bad enough around my coworkers and friends, but from the people who determined my grades?

My goal when I teach is to get angry phone calls from parents claiming I am too liberal and too conservative- on the same day :). And then happily whipping out my ACLU and NRA cards and asking them what they think I am.

P. S. I always thought you were a liberal democrat.

Posted by: Kara at April 11, 2005 11:11 PM

I'm a Liberal democrat; just not a liberal Democrat. ;-)

Posted by: Miguel [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 14, 2005 04:27 PM