Should professors be allowed to advocate their views on political or social issues in the classroom - Essay Example

Should be allowed to advocate their views on political or social issues in the room Introduction Nowadays there has been a lot of controversy over the issue of the freedom of professors in the class. It has been said that many professors are using their right to teach students a way to guide them to theories or perspectives supported by the professors themselves. In the words of the people who say that professors are being biased and discriminatory it can be said that professors are using their powers to indoctrinate rather then educate their students.

However this conclusion is being criticized widely for its nature by the professors and other people these days. This article would further give an overview about this topic and would clarify the position of professors educating their students rather then indoctrinating them. (Erin 2007)Should professors be allowed to advocate their views on political or social issues in the classroom Indoctrination is a word commonly used by the critics of the professors. This word here means that the knowledge which is being given by the professors should not be one sided or unquestionable.

It is unto the students to decide as to what knowledge is right and what is not. Thus the students are required to put forward their own views when the professors are teaching. However the criticism by different organizations about the professors has been counterattacked by the professors. These different organizations have urged the professors to bring in any other subject of study which is not relating to their course material. Anything which is related to the other course of study is not to be guide lined by the professor in the class.

However the professors in response to his statement have said that every thing which is being stated in the class and is not in the course material has significant importance. And as in Michael Berube describes in his words that he teaches in his class on different subjects which are not even in mentioned in the course material. However he counters this action by telling that he can co-relate the topics on which he is teaching to the course materials. And in his words he criticizes a document which stops the professors from teaching on any other subject except for the course material.

However as Berube describes it, different topics are inter-related but if viewed from other approaches then they would not seem related (Berube 2007). Other professors also argue about the facts that if some topics which at first glance do not seem to be related to the topic are not discussed in the class then the students would possibly lose interest in their subject. However it is the duty of the professors to teach the students about differing perspectives. This would not only provide the students with necessary knowledge but also help them in developing their skills to think.

It would help the students to make up their identity and thinking. In regard to this topic an example could be considered in which Kevin Barrett who is a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin gave his view openly on the 9/11 attacks. This view was given by Kevin Barrett was supported by his own theories and perspective. However as the professor was teaching the students in the class it was his duty to give in both sides of stories so that the students could conclude about the event by themselves.

The professors should encourage students to give in their perspectives so that a discussion can be evolved. This discussion would help the students to get a better view on the topic. A class should not be restricted by the professors when they are giving in their views about different topics even if these views effect the beliefs of other students. As these discussions would help the students who have cherished beliefs to understand and mould their thinking in relation to the facts (Stanley 2006)ConclusionThe professors should be given the right to practice their views in the class but on the other hand it is also the duty of the professors to provide the students with 'all' necessary information on the topic.

This information would help the students to decide as to what the conclusion would be. However the professors should maintain a boundary when teaching their students. These professors should not let in their religious or personal beliefs come in the way of teaching. They should not support only one belief and should always provide the students with an overall view on the topic. (Finkin, Robert, Nelson, Benjamin & Combest 2008)Works CitedBerube, Michael. "Freedom to Teach." Inside Higher Ed. 11 Sept. 2007. 1 Feb.2008. Finkin, Matthew W.

, Robert C. Post, Cary Nelson, Ernst Benjamin and Eric Combest."Report- Freedom in the Classroom" American Association of University Professors. Sept.-Oct 2007. 1 Feb. 2008 Fish, Stanley. "Conspiracy Theories 101." The New York Times. 23 July 2006. Sec. 4.13. 1 Feb. 2008. O'Connor, Erin. "AAUP To Critics: What, Us Biased" Minding the Campus: Reforming Our Universities. 25 Sept. 2007. 1 Feb. 2008.