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Show A5 MONDAY-NOVEMBER 21*2005 15 c li • I 16 CE 17 «m D C 3 u cA 3 3 c 13 Mormon Cinema takes giant leap forward cN: From VOCAL-A4 18 «i 19 cE "* "'"i I H D c 1 :i R U f& cH U c D 3 c 11 20 «^l Are college students puppets? Mathew Davies Opinions Writer The issue of political bias in higher education is an inherently problematic subject. To think that there is some kind of puppet master working behind the scenes with the agenda of creating liberal or conservative minded students is ridiculous. Obviously, the occurrence of any bias in the classroom should be associated with each individual professor in his or her classroom. So, the question of bias is actually: do more professors have a more liberal or conservative view, and do they allow their political ideologies to affect the subject that they are teaching? Professors have political opinions - I don*t think that this fact is disputable; nevertheless, in my experience, professors' views are varied throughout the political spectrum from extreme liberal to ultra conservative and all the gray areas in between. Different academic departments may attract professors of a particular ideology. By the nature of the subject material, business may attract more conservatives, and humanities more liberals. However, being an accounting major at one time and now studying English, I have had liberal professors in business, and conservative in English, as well as those from each of the dominant ideologies. Furthermore, labeling an individual professor as liberal or conservative is overly simplified. There are so many different opinions even within those two groups that to define a person as one or the other eliminates the ability to understand the intricacies of the individual's complex belief structures. Simply stating that majority of professors are liberal or conservative is a simplistic assumption that should not be made. Of course professor's political views affect the way they teach in the classroom. How could we expect anything less? Our ideologies shape who we are and how we view the world; therefore, any instructor's values are going to influence their views on the subject they teach. Hopefully, by taking different classes from varying professors, the student will be exposed to different views. I think it is the student's obligation to understand this point. Often, when considering this issue, the fact that a student has biased opinions is forgotten. All of us bring our experiences, opinions, and values to class with us everyday. The bias of the student affects the classroom just as much as the bias of the professor. The opinion that the majority of students at UVSC are conservative is much easier to argue than that the majority of professors are liberal. Nevertheless, the "majority" does not mean all students are conservative. In many of my classes the student's opinions have drowned out the material that the professor is attempting to present. To me this is far more of a concern than the bias of the instructor. In one of my classes, an Ethics and Values class I took a couple of years ago, a few angry students prevented about half of the material from being taught effectively. The class was designed to present multiple viewpoints on several topics. Nevertheless, some students refused to listen and in fact prevented others from listening, to opinions that differed from theirs. College should not merely be about reinforcing the beliefs of students either. So, my answer to the question: Yes, biased opinions are in higher education. That is the nature of the institution. I don't think that bias is the problem. Professors are paid to present their knowledge of the material to us, and this knowledge at times will include opinions and political views. Bias is unavoidable. In my opinion, the purpose of higher education is to expose the student to many ideas. The student has the choice of which ideas to accept and which to reject, but should take the time to listen to every idea and understand it as fully as possible, before passing judgment. Throughout my experience in college, many of my beliefs have been strengthened, some adapted and a few have drastically changed length) and is for the most part very well written. The different stories are woven together gracefully, creating a plot line that is both compelling and surprising (everyone was on the edge of their scats and in tears for the final half hour). The acting is solid and the characters credible. Visually there are moments, such as when scene cuts are made between a man being confirmed a member of the Church and a murder on the street or when a man stands in silhouette facing the ocean with his arms outstretched, that are absolutely masterful. Perhaps more than any single element though, States of Grace is clearly the work of a man with courage. There aren't many LDS artists who have the bravery, let alone the ability, to unflinchingly tackle what Dutcher has in this remarkable new movie. The public has reason to be skeptical. The Book of Mormon movie was supposed to be good too, and turned out to be the biggest disgrace for a film in Mormon cinema's short career. Nevertheless, I stand firm with my review of States of Grace: it's the best movie I've seen. Mormon or otherwise, in quite some time. 06m A degree inAir-Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology will give you an opportunity to be involved in a rapidly expanding industry. With its new technologies, there are many chances for advancement. There has been an increased demand for technicians and that demand has translated to significant wage increases in the past few years. Your involvement in the industry will allowyou to use many mechanical-electrical, and electronic components. Technicians often specialize in either installation or maintenance and repair—although they are trained for both. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics quotes the median starting hourly wage as $16.78, with some making as much as $26.20* Dont forget, lymabean.com launches on November 28tti This is your chance to get involved!!! Call 863-8500 for registration information *Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Dept. of Labor* occupational Outlook Handbook, 2004-05 edition. Data represents statistics for 2002. / lymabean COM |