How to Deal With a Bias College Instructor

Probably one of the most surprising things I experienced in college was a number of instructors (a few out of many) who used their classrooms to force their own viewpoints on young adults rather than teach their subject. If you've ever been in this situation, it's highly frustrating. In this article, I'll give you tips on how to handle this issue with maturity and find a solution for it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A college professor who either suppresses opposing views and/or forces a particular view in his/her classroom that's off-topic from the class

1. First of all, it's very important to understand the difference between a professor who is trying to challenge you and one who is abusing his or her authority. It's understandable that you're not going to agree with every professor you have, but a good professor will respectfully let other people express their viewpoints. There may be even passionate debate at times, but everyone leaves feeling like they had the opportunity to say their view. In that situation, you may be a little uncomfortable about being challenged but it may not be a bias situation. The best thing to do in those situations is do your homework and have evidence to support your way of thinking.
2. In contrast, a bias professor tends to suppress and even ridicule beliefs that they don't share. Most often I seen this happen in religious or political areas, even if the subject being taught was supposed to be something totally different. This is still a shock to many students in the 18-21 age range because high school teachers would get fired for similar rude and disrespectful behavior toward them. Since you're a legal adult however, the rules are a little different. Just the realization that you're in a different environment is important in letting you know what actions you can and can't take.
3. Usually most colleges and universities have a limited time period where you can change classes without being financially punished for it. This takes some effort, but it's honestly better than trying to sit through a class with a bias professor if you realize it quick enough. I didn't know this as a freshman, so it's important to know your school's policies ahead of time. This saved me a lot of hassle as an upperclassman. Plus I didn't want to financially support that kind of behavior towards other students.
4. You do have the option of complaining to a dean or other higher authority at most colleges and universities, but honestly results will vary. I think long-term the best way to solve the problem is when these professors become a financial liability (being paid more than they bring in due to lack of students taking their classes) instead of an asset. It's really one of those situations where your tuition dollars have the influence. Even if you're paying for college through scholarships, grants, or loans, where you're directing your money does matter.
5. If you want to risk putting yourself and your grade on the line (some people have the ability and the willingness to do so), you can stand up to the professor. I went to college from ages 17-21, and I honestly didn't have the maturity level or the boldness to stand up as much as I could do today in a similar enviornment. What did have influence on me however were adult students who had been out in the real world awhile and could hold their own. They defused a lot of the intimidation factor that the professor would've had otherwise, and I'm thankful that people like that are out there. It's a major reason why I wanted to supply ways to address this issue mainly for high school seniors entering into college.
6. Hopefully you'll never have to use this information, and I don't want to let it discourage you from college in general. Education is extremely important in how far you get in life, and so is who you allow and don't allow to influence your mind and thought process. Never forget that you have a choice in the matter and aren't just "trapped" in the situation.

Tips & Warnings

• Ben Stein has recently done a documentary called "Expelled" which highlights the issue of religious ideas being suppressed in science fields (science professors who believe in creation by God and stating it publicly getting fired for their beliefs, etc.) I've included a link if you'd like to find out more about it.
• If you have a story of this happening to you and want to share additional helpful tips, feel free to add and comment.