Very Interesting Article: Why Conservatives aren't Profs

[MarchHare]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

You never went to SAIT, did you?

I wouldn't call many of the instructors at SAIT academics. While they may be post-secondary teachers, few of them have graduate or post-graduate degrees and fewer still are published in peer-reviewed journals.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I wouldn't call many of the instructors at SAIT academics. While they may be post-secondary teachers, few of them have graduate or post-graduate degrees and fewer still are published in peer-reviewed journals.

How do you get a post-graduate degree in wood working or mechanics? SAIT is more about skillz than academics.

I am a graduate of both the University of Calgary and SAIT...At SAIT i did a 2 year COOP between my 3rd and 4th semesters, and when i returned to finish, i had people i had taken classes with who were now my instructors!!

Having said all that and being a few years removed from my post secondary education and now am in a position to hire people in my line of work....their really is no difference between a SAIT CT graduate and a UofC computer science grad....Besides what i learnt in both insitutions gave me a solid framework to approach my career, but really i learnt more on the job, than being in school.

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by Weiser Wonder

Speaking of logical thinking, this post doesn't make any sense.

just ramblings...if i have time today i will repost with a more generic friendly version, that can make sense to all

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

They're smart guys, for sure. But they're also arch-conservatives. Not many people deny that.

On the other hand, I think it's important to note that academic culture does select for liberals also. The academy is a place where it does matter who you agree with, and academics in the social sciences and humanities (outside of the U of C) are often politically liberal academic marxists. They tend to hire people who think as they do on political issues--it's an unfortunate fact of life.

There isn't enough diversity of political viewpoints in most departments, and even though I'm a liberal myself I think students are the worse off for it. Universities should be places that encourage freedom of thought--I think most people involved in higher education would agree. That's hard when most of the top scholars represent only one political viewpoint.

Actually my point is pretty close to yours. They are certainly arch-conservatives, but very brilliant and capable of teaching well without trying to indoctrinate students. I've had classes with very liberal professors who have been incapable of imparting a huge amount of bias towards the students.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Always great when someone posts a thoughtful, balanced article, and the very first reply is neither thoughtful or balanced.

I'm guessing you did not lol?

It was just a joke, dude.

[Calgaryborn]

That was interesting. Thanks Hoz.

[llama64]

What I've seen is that "liberal" thinkers follow the more traditional routes into higher thinking and gain Ph.D's, becomming part of the Academic world.

Conservatives are more likely to become politicalized and join or startup so called "institutes" that compete directly with established academia. I personally think this is a massive lapse in judgement in the by those with a Conservative mindset. It weakens Universities by removing most conservative lines of thinking out of the teaching/research environment and places them, more often then not, into the hands of special interest groups.

Course, I usually dismiss everything that comes out of an "institute" outright.

[HOZ]

Originally Posted by octothorp

Always great when someone posts a thoughtful, balanced article, and the very first reply is neither thoughtful or balanced.

I thought the conclusions here were very interesting. The conservative emphasis on family life was a factor I wouldn't have considered. I'm even more curious about their next paper on whether professors' views do serve to indoctrinate students. I have to agree with the conservative on that one, I think they probably do.

That is my thoughts too. That next study looks really interesting.

[Eric Vail]

I always thought it was because only those with half a brain could be conservative and they could never get through school.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Eric Vail

I always thought it was because only those with half a brain could be conservative and they could never get through school.

I think Gwyn Morgan's a pretty prominent conservative.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by peter12

Actually my point is pretty close to yours. They are certainly arch-conservatives, but very brilliant and capable of teaching well without trying to indoctrinate students. I've had classes with very liberal professors who have been incapable of imparting a huge amount of bias towards the students.

Yeah, I don't think we disagree much--though my memory of Flanagan is a little different.

But it's hard to imagine a "bias-free" form of instruction--bias informs everything we say and do, especially if you're engaging in social critique. If you can get diversity of opinion, I think that's the next best thing.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

Yeah, I don't think we disagree much--though my memory of Flanagan is a little different.

But it's hard to imagine a "bias-free" form of instruction--bias informs everything we say and do, especially if you're engaging in social critique. If you can get diversity of opinion, I think that's the next best thing.

Flanagan has toned down a bit in the last few years. At this stage, I'd say he's the best professor I've ever had and has definitely been a very positive influence on my intellectual development as a student. He's been portrayed very negatively and poorly by sources outside of the university.

As for bias, I agree, diversity is best. I've found many of my more Marxist/far left professors the most stifling in regards to intellectual debate in the classroom. Although I do welcome all perspectives and a discussion about them.