Should teachers reveal their political and social views in class?
Professors in universities or academia in other forms are widely supposed to be hopelessly neutral in classroom as it is widely believed that professors are supposed to present all different ideas in front of the audience. Their job has no components of presenting their personal standpoint while should try all means to guard the tendency of the academia becoming the game preserves of some theory or some views. However my contention is that professors should not be inhibited from revealing their political or social views in class.
Professors are human beings, plus they have the responsibility to “defend for the right so you can say, even I don’t agree with you”. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the professor should be a pointless person. It is to the very contrary that professors are nearly always the group of people who have the strongest points towards political events and social change. A common lecture of political science may be composed by a series of political theories from Machiavelli to Henry Kissinger with the comments from the professor. It may seem as if the professor didn’t present any tiny traces of his/her own view. But the truth is he/she actually penetrated the view into his/her comments which would root in the mind of the students and sometimes may do more harm than good. Think about a professor who’s strongly for invasion to other countries. After the lecture, a group of students who used to be fighters against war of any kind may be reshaped into pro-invasion after the course. Therefore, isn’t it much better if the professor’s allowed to announce his/her ideas clearly in the class? At least in the latter scenario, the students would be able to understand that there are possible biases before the lecture and they would be quite alerted.
It is true and has been argued by many that professors shouldn’t reveal their political views or social views because they are cultivating the future of the country and they should not contribute to the prevailing of any certain schools. Isn’t it true? Yes, it is. However, be free to speech is the fundamental rule of democracy. By stopping a professor from revealing his own idea in class, aren’t we trying to stop one kind of violence by conducting another kind? Professor and the whole academia should promote a comfortable and tolerant environment for the creation and growth of any ideas. It is their first and foremost responsibility. But it doesn’t necessarily stop them from showing the true them in front the public.
Yes. By allowing professors to speak out their own political and social ideas will bring some uncomfortable moments. But it is just by allowing them say it out that we are truly practicing democracy and open the possibility of discussion.
2011年11月28日星期一
TOEFL-Essay #1
I was required to accomplish two TOEFL essays within 25 mins. And here we go:
The idea that professors' appearance on TV creates Win-win situation for different stakeholders is widespread but the author presents her contention against the idea, claiming nobody would benefit from this game.
First of all, the professors don't benefit from this appearance from a professional standpoint. He/She might be considered as not being a serious researcher by fellow scholars. This will lead to worse results including that the professor may not be invited to important conferences, important meetings discussing the recent development of the discipline. The professor may even have trouble getting money for his/her research. Therefore, to show his/her face on TV, in many ways, has been regarded as a disadvantage in their career.
Secondly, time, the most sacred and important resources for a professional scholar would be largely invested for showing on TV. It doesn't only include the time of appearance on TV, but also the time preparing for the show, rehearsing, traveling and even the time spent on make-up. All the time wasted on this topic may have been invested on research, on university business, or on meeting with students. Therefore, to appear on TV will do no good to both university and students, letting alone the possible problems.
The third but not the least, is that the public who's supposed to be the main party benefited from this game would not at all. The TV wants no real knowledge. They want title rather than substance. The professor may be invited to give a small talk on the basics of some discipline or background introduction of the movie version of some historical events. This can absolutely be done by some TV reporter if they have done some homework.
The idea that professors' appearance on TV creates Win-win situation for different stakeholders is widespread but the author presents her contention against the idea, claiming nobody would benefit from this game.
First of all, the professors don't benefit from this appearance from a professional standpoint. He/She might be considered as not being a serious researcher by fellow scholars. This will lead to worse results including that the professor may not be invited to important conferences, important meetings discussing the recent development of the discipline. The professor may even have trouble getting money for his/her research. Therefore, to show his/her face on TV, in many ways, has been regarded as a disadvantage in their career.
Secondly, time, the most sacred and important resources for a professional scholar would be largely invested for showing on TV. It doesn't only include the time of appearance on TV, but also the time preparing for the show, rehearsing, traveling and even the time spent on make-up. All the time wasted on this topic may have been invested on research, on university business, or on meeting with students. Therefore, to appear on TV will do no good to both university and students, letting alone the possible problems.
The third but not the least, is that the public who's supposed to be the main party benefited from this game would not at all. The TV wants no real knowledge. They want title rather than substance. The professor may be invited to give a small talk on the basics of some discipline or background introduction of the movie version of some historical events. This can absolutely be done by some TV reporter if they have done some homework.
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