new bill to shut down political debate at universities Options

[Seeker]

http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/medi...m-2790881.shtml
http://www.digg.com/politics/To_Protect_Co...olitical_Debate

Assuming that college students are too dumb to think for themselves, a Texan lawmaker introduced a bill to "protect" them - by limiting political debate. Sir, if you really wanted to help college students, why not worry about how to make colleges more affordable so that ALL students can attend & decide what they want to do - or believe.

[Hartmann]

http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/medi...m-2790881.shtml
http://www.digg.com/politics/To_Protect_Co...olitical_Debate

Is he not right in saying there is a political bias in most college classes?

In my experience he's right on the money. Professors don't teach the material (some do), they teach their ideology. That's not what I'm paying for. If I want their ideology I'll buy their soft cover on why American politics suck.

[Mommy]

and thats why i couldnt stand the ridiculously biased philosophy classes at TTU

[cupcake]

Hartmann's all over it.

I actually had a history prof teach state "the reason we lost the Vietnam war was because we don't know guerilla warfare".

nigga wha? that statement alone has 3 untruths and biases.

another Prof taught that Grendel was the true hero in Beowulf.

I disagree with the statement above that college students are too dumb to think for themselves. That is not right...I think they are merely impressionable, as kids are (teenager = kid). I feel many are misguided by adults who've spent their whole life in the academic vacuum and know jack shit about the real unsavory world.

[Testm0nkey]

i guess ive just had good teachers. i can understand in some classes/schools to really teach a subject so stupid people (cupcakes "teenagers") can grasp its meaning you have to present a point of view on the matter. but yes you should always make your own personal feelings ambiguous or present several view points. that can be tasking to do every single time you discuss a topic in a poli sci class.
i dont get why its so offensive. so your philo professor is a liberal (thats really surprising!) - im just betting what jessica meant by bias in her philosophy classes are towards the "outthere" liberal side

more on topic:
debate/discussion are one of the most interesting aspects of college courses. a couple of my teachers agree and we'll have these in class. its sad that at the beginning of each class they have to repeat commonsense rules about what a debate is and how it is not a precursor to WWE style fistacuffs. "teenagers" are stupid
shutting them out completely is also stupid. these stupids should change not the format of discussion

[chook]

because of this, i am wearing my UT college republican shirt!

[woody]

and thats why i couldnt stand the ridiculously biased philosophy classes at TTU

ya i caught on that too

even some of the English prof's were douches

[Mommy]

In my opinion, even a philosophy teacher can present material without displaying biased "outthere" liberal points of view (Im assuming that Cathryn means "out there" instead of "outttttthtere"). The only class where politics should have even been discussed (outside of Greek politics) is political philosophy. It seemed that the point of too many philosophy lectures was to disprove the existance of God. All the "cool kids" (in quotes because they only bathed once a week and dressed like they found their clothes in a dumpster.... *cough* *cough*) would laugh at anyone who tried to defend the Bible, instead of logically showing the Bible-thumpers where their arguement failed and then SHOWING (PAY ATTENTION HERE: THIS IS KEY) THEM HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR ARGUEMENT FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD.

Liberals think they own the school of philosophy. Its really quite funny in a pathetic kind of way.

[FORSAKENR320]

nothing is more arrogant or ignorant than a hippy with a trendy idea of 101ism

[Mommy]

I think I understand what you are saying, but just to clarify whats 101ism?

[Testm0nkey]

i never really ran into any of that in my classes
i was always suprised there seemed to be a fair amount of conservative people in philosophy. i always wondered why

[FORSAKENR320]

I think I understand what you are saying, but just to clarify whats 101ism?

101ism is where someone takes a freshman or introductory class, and suddenly thinks they have a masters in the subject

[Mommy]

maybe because the passion for debating is enjoyed by people of all political stances?

also, philosophy is a good degree to have for those wanting to go to law school.

101ism is where someone takes a freshman or introductory class, and suddenly thinks they have a masters in the subject

ok thats what I thought. was just making sure

[FORSAKENR320]

no problem

[Testm0nkey]

conservatives in philosophy - i always felt it was like an anarchist taking a political philosophy class and constantly turning every discussion into support for anarchy. you just cant do it. my "cool unshowered kids group" called those types of people annoying

[FORSAKENR320]

if either of you girls had tails... you'd be lashing them in anger.....

[Testm0nkey]

nah. im not surprised at her random bouts of anger towards me on the boards. it started weeks ago

[Mommy]

Maybe they always turned it into discussions because the professor conducted his lectures in a horribly biased fashion?

[Testm0nkey]

i personally never ran into anything like that. but i do remember the professor stopping dead cold because once again a skinny little dude in a pink polo shirt had to once again bring up god during notes that had nothing to do about god. and shed have to once again say "um well interesting but remember the difference between faith blah blah blah"
that happened a lot more frequently in my classes
that is why its always annoying to hear someone say otherwise. i would have enjoyed a biased class more i guess. a class where the professor would just say "shut the hell up! its circular logic douchebag! go take a philosophy of religion class"

[cupcake]

I would have murdered every human in that class, except for the meek asian kid and the token fat girl...

pink polo kid and hairy sandals guy would have become best friends...6ft below...

[woody]

when i took political phil with lovering, the only time anarchy came up is when we actually discussed it in our writing and listed to Anarchy In the UK in class.

Other than that we hit alot on freedom,security,political obligations & duties, etc.

from the classes i took we dealt alot about God because there was alot of subject matter on it and various POV and logic included in the arguments. In my...intro to religions class(i forgot the name) we went over the 5 major religions including there god, or not god, and their household duties and duties to the church. in my phil of religion class alot was discussed about god.

This post has been edited by woody: Mar 27 2007, 03:17 PM

[Testm0nkey]

anarchy was an example. i never took political philosophy but i imagine someone who everyday brought the discussion back to the pros of anarchy would get annoying. in my other philosophy classes from ethics, logic, religion etc the idea presented was pretty much anarchy doesnt work for society.

[FORSAKENR320]

anarchy was an example. i never took political philosophy but i imagine someone who everyday brought the discussion back to the pros of anarchy would get annoying. in my other philosophy classes from ethics, logic, religion etc the idea presented was pretty much anarchy doesnt work for society.

i want to revert back to a time where "hitting on a girl you like" involved a large blunt object and alot of grunting

[Mommy]

political philosophy with Schaller was the shittiest class I have ever sat through. Seriously, that man is a god damn moron.

[chook]

silly philosophy majors

[The Fanatic]

Anarchy IS a political philosophy


You have to remember that most philosophers do not consider the existence of god to be logical. The existence of god can not be proven/disproven and is mainly based on the principle of faith.

This post has been edited by Dr. Gonzo: Mar 27 2007, 07:37 PM

[The Fanatic]

I had a history teacher that would ALWAYS play the devil's advocate in class. She was liberal but if someone brought forth a liberal view point she would bring up points to foster discussion. I think that is how professors should run their classrooms.

[impala454]

Professors don't teach the material (some do), they teach their ideology. That's not what I'm paying for. If I want their ideology I'll buy their soft cover on why American politics suck.

bingo. the problem is that a lot of students take this as the truth. even if what they teach isn't laced with bias, they can still be biased as far as only presenting the part of the material that agrees with their views.

[pebkac]

Ok, I've heard all sorts of arguments for/against this bill, but one thing still remains unanswered. What exactly does the bill DO?

[pebkac]

Sigh.... all this arguing over something when no one actually knows what exactly this thing IS. It's just a freakin' resolution. It doesn't do anything at all...

http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/b...ml/SC00003I.htm

WHEREAS, A vibrant and dynamic system of higher education in
Texas is essential to the continued well-being and prosperity of
the state and its diverse citizenry, contributing to the
propagation of new ideas, the preservation of cultural legacies,
and the vitality of the political discourse that is the hallmark of
all healthy democracies; and
WHEREAS, While each college and university may serve one or
more specific purposes, higher education's overarching mission in
general is to promote the pursuit of truth and the advancement of
knowledge through rigorous scholarship and research and to promote
the transmission of knowledge to society at large through teaching
and the development of students into creative and responsible
individuals; and
WHEREAS, An institution of higher education cannot achieve
these goals or fulfill its central mission, however, unless it
respects the rights and privileges of each participant in the
process, student and faculty member alike, recognizing the
diversity of opinion that exists in the classroom and on campus; and
WHEREAS, Because the pursuit of truth inevitably entails a
spirit of questioning and the close study and reasoned criticism of
dogma, conventions, and traditions, the unfettered inquiry and the
attendant freedom to speak out and to challenge are indispensable;
without that spirit and freedom, the process, the participants, and
the outcomes are all diminished; and
WHEREAS, Given that higher education is enriched by
individuals from all walks of life and the diversity of traditions
that shape the ideas they bring to this marketplace, colleges and
universities must make and periodically renew their commitment to
valuing and respecting diversity in intellectual and political
viewpoints regardless of whose viewpoint it is or the position or
role of the individual who holds it; and
WHEREAS, The academic freedom accorded faculty and that
freedom to which students are entitled are both essential and
complementary components of success in intellectual endeavors, and
policies that protect one's freedom need not and should not
infringe upon or diminish the freedom of another; and
WHEREAS, To that end, it may be justifiably expected that
colleges and universities would periodically review their policies
with respect to faculty and student rights and grievance procedures
to ensure that intellectual and political diversity is recognized,
valued, and protected; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 80th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby encourage the state's colleges and universities to implement
policies to safeguard the academic freedom of faculty and students
alike and ensure the diversity of opinion not only in the classroom
and campus but beyond; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the secretary of state forward official copies
of this resolution to the commissioner of higher education and to
the chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

[Seussninja]

uppity college kids don't need to be givin no mouth back anyways, good riddance

[griseyeux]

uppity college kids don't need to be givin no mouth back anyways, good riddance

you are an uppity college kid.

[Seussninja]

you are an uppity college kid.

uppity requires i care first

[The Fanatic]

you are an uppity college kid.

Not all college kids are "uppity"