Professors can generally keep classroom climates calm and controlled, but debate involving students and professors can spark sporadically when discussing hot button political issues.
Donald Trump, North Korea, healthcare, immigration, abortion: heads turn and extensive discussion almost inevitably follows the mentioning of these topics in the classroom. Situations where voices are raised, insults are thrown and students lash out in heated exchanges are uncommon but still occur.
Dr. Mellissa Miller, associate professor of political science at BGSU, said that she has never encountered any tension stemming from partisan politics in her classrooms. She attributes this peace to students’ desire to learn and the education behind political science.
“We are not teaching politics; we are teaching political science,” said Miller. “We are trying to make sense of political theories and skills.”
She emphasized her students’ hunger to learn and understand the topics covered regardless of whether their views fall on the left or right of the political spectrum. This interest is what drives students to remain open-minded.
Certain classes that cover very specific political topics, like Professor Dr. David Jackson’s politics and the mass media course, can be more likely to incite debate due to their close focus on modern issues.
“The class I’m teaching now doesn’t really have any tension because it’s more about history,” said Jackson. “But politics in the mass media addresses more of today’s contemporary issues, and that has led to some outburst discussions.”
Debates and discussions can range anywhere from race relations to foreign policy, and some people take those topics very personally. Some students can recall specific instances where they witnessed uncomfortable political tension in the classroom.
“Absolutely, I’ve seen tension in my constitutional law and middle eastern politics classes,” said senior political science major and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President Kohl Taberner. “It gets very opinionated, and I don’t like to get involved.”
Undergraduate Student Government senator Arielle Baldwin said when abortion and religion were brought up in her American domestic public policy course one student and the professor engaged in a feverish debate over the issues.
“There was bad blood, but it remained professional,” said Baldwin “There can be those moments, but professors generally keep the climate under control.”
Both Miller and Jackson emphasized the importance of acknowledging both ends of the political spectrum when teaching political science, and ensuring that class discussions remain open.
“Most professors can competently manage differences of opinion, and keep the classroom open,” said Jackson.
