<p>So, I just submitted my app to U of M on Sunday and I'd love to go there if I get accepted. But the one thing I hear constantly from strangers and friends who attend is that if you intend on studying Social Sciences, especially politics or law (my forte and intended major) be prepared to hold your tongue for four years if you've got anything to say contrary to the beliefs of your radical Leftist professors. I've sat in on a few lectures, and quite frankly, it's bad, in my opinion. I wouldn't be able to hold my tongue or even respect half of the stuff that is spewed from these "professors," especially when some even make it clear that your grade will suffer if you don't hold the same opinions on, say, the "benefits of diversity" (Mary Sue Coleman is a moron, IMO haha).</p>
<p>So all ranting aside, I guess my question is are there any professors at Michigan in the Political Science department that are even remotely Right, or at least moderate? Or even a Leftist teacher who could grade objectively if a paper takes a stance opposite to their own? I know it seems petty, but this really is a big deal for me. I've grown up 45 minutes from U of M and the prestige isn't anything to scoff at, but I'd hate to have my GPA suffer or be miserable for the next four years. Thanks for reading!</p>
<p>While I disagree with professors grading papers based on their own political orientation, perhaps you ought to reconsider your radical right-wing politics…</p>
<p>This is my first semester at Michigan, though I am a junior so I am taking three 300 level poli sci classes. I have friends in my classes who are much more conservative and while they have complained about having to listen to the professors “spew **** every week,” their grades have been fair. My discussion sections have been pretty balanced on both sides and the GSIs only serve as facilitators and don’t really get involved in the debates so much, I actually don’t know any of their positions on anything as of now. I don’t know how their interactions with professors go since poli sci lectures are gigantic. But, of course, that is JUST three courses and three professors here in one given semester. So, of course, take my experiences with a grain of salt.</p>
<p>I do wonder though, what university do you expect NOT to have this problem?</p>
<p>I sat through a “history of american political parties” class at my old school last year where the professor did nothing but rant about how we are all communists now because we elected Obama, and even had grading not been obscenely biased I wouldn’t have enjoyed it much. So I can understand your concern. I made B’s and C’s on all my papers no matter how well written or researched they were, and the kid that sat next to me wrote that “obama is a nazi socialist mother****** that needs to die” and always got A’s. It was ridiculous and I would be hesitant to knowingly walk into a class with conservative professors now. I would WANT to, because I would think it would be interesting and contribute well to my education, but if anything like that happened to me again I would probably explode.</p>
<p>“I made B’s and C’s on all my papers no matter how well written or researched they were”</p>
<p>How can you judge yourself in how well written or researched your paper is? Your own paper always makes more sense to yourself than other people. </p>
<p>“obama is a nazi socialist mother****** that needs to die”
that’s true :-p …no wonder he gets A’s. But then, everyone gets 4.0s at a community college anyway. I personally haven’t met anyone from U of M who took classes at Washtenaw or Schoolcraft and didn’t get straight As. </p>
<p>It just ****es me off how U of M would admit people with less than a 3.8 from Washtenaw or Schoolcraft. You don’t even need to put any effort worth a dime in to achieve a perfect gpa at a CC. I had a friend who took Calc-based Physics at Washtenaw. The “professor” there turn the class into non-calc based Physics because most actual Washtenaw students aren’t bright enough to remotely understand anything the second calculus comes into play.</p>
<p>I’ve noticed my current poli-sci teacher making efforts to accept any kind of political viewpoint (with the except of fascism). I can’t be sure the grades others in my class are getting, but I do know that I’ve written about some pretty strange points, stuff that most people would just disregard (and it was posted on a blog, so many people did just condemn it because of what it suggested), but still gotten good grades on them as long as I was able to construct a strong argument.</p>
<p>If you have strong arguments for your veiws, I doubt you will run into too many problems. However, oftentimes what people think is a good argument is really one that’s based on unsubstantiated beliefs. Personal beliefs or opinions can be objectively wrong sometimes. </p>
<p>For example, the idea that we should limit stem cell research because we’re actually killing little humans is objectively absurd. If you were to present this belief in a paper you probably should get marked off for it, because you’d have no good argument to support it. You might see this as liberal bias, but it isn’t about “right” or “left”, it’s about rational or irrational.</p>
<p>Perhaps the reason many professors are “liberal” is because these liberal beliefs, in many cases, are more rational. Obviously liberalism can be taken too far though. A liberal who advocates pure socialism is probably going too far, as is one who sympathizes with Muslim suicide bombers.</p>
<p>“For example, the idea that we should limit stem cell research because we’re actually killing little humans is objectively absurd.”</p>
<p>Makes just as much sense as robbing high income people who do not need subsidized health care to fund low income people who can’t provide for themselves.</p>
<p>Rationally, yes, I would tend to agree. And quite frankly, I support stem cell research on those same logical grounds; however, you can’t completely discard the other opinion, as they could just as easily argue against you not on “irrational” or emotional grounds, but Constitutionality, which there is a clear case for. This is the exact kind of stuff I’m worried about, quite frankly.</p>
<p>Although it’s good to hear that some are at least trying to be open-minded. I could care less if Karl Marx himself taught my class, so long as I got the grade I deserved on a well-written paper about the benefits of a Capitalist society.</p>
<p>As a former teacher of constitutional law, I am very curious to learn of the alleged “clear Constitutional case” against stem cell research, especially given the assumed (too easily conceded?) irrationality of treating such as “killing little humans.”</p>
<p>In all honesty, I wouldn’t worry about it. I too am planning on being a polisci major. I’m going to take an approach(if admitted) that is some what neutral so it doesn’t affect my judgement when writing papers and what not. If you get in an argument with a prof about who’s correct, left right, then you are asking to be graded tougher because it shows you have a clear understanding of the subject that you are arguing even if you don’t. I’m sure this isn’t true over 50% of the time, but I would express a little self control unless asked to state an opinion, in which you SHOULD be graded fairly…</p>
<p>"Makes just as much sense as robbing high income people who do not need subsidized health care to fund low income people who can’t provide for themselves. "</p>
<p>No it really doesn’t. I don’t have strong opinions either way on the healthcare issue, but at least it would have a positive effect on <em>someone</em> (i.e. people who currently can’t afford it). Limiting stem cell research hurts everyone.</p>
<p>If you’re conservative and want to study political science, Michigan is just not for you… Simple as that. Whether or not your professors will grade you fairly, this college is probably still just not for you. That is, unless you really do enjoy fighting with people over politics.</p>
<p>“And quite frankly, I support stem cell research on those same logical grounds; however, you can’t completely discard the other opinion, as they could just as easily argue against you not on “irrational” or emotional grounds, but Constitutionality, which there is a clear case for. This is the exact kind of stuff I’m worried about, quite frankly.”</p>
<p>It seems to me that the only way to argue that stem cells should be protected is by arguing that they’re people, which they’re not. I don’t think they mentioned stem cells in the constitution.</p>
<p>I seem to remember reading in the parents forum about some university that was going to start a program about right-wing studies, but I don’t remember what it was or any specifics.</p>
<p>if your that anal or polarized in american politics, I suggest people research what their college is generally on the political spectrum. Ann arbor is pretty liberal and michigan itself is pretty much a democratic stronghold. On the other hand, I imagine that a church-affiliated private school in the south is more likely to be conservative.</p>
<p>but seriously, that would be a shame. Researching the political mood of a college before applying? Thats pathetic, your just trying to find people that say things to make you feel good? Can’t stand differing views (views that might actually make sense and make you look dumb)?</p>
<p>american politics have become way to polarized with people shutting out compromises and just yelling out what they think is best. radical left or right people like rush limbaugh can go to hell.</p>
<p>I’m also taking PS 300 and I agree that the grades are based of support of the argument, not the argument itself. That being said…the Professor mixes facts and opinion, which causes me to zone out and not pay attention. Another liberal bias present is the topics that he picks, they are mostly topics that a libertarian/conservative viewpoint would struggle against the majority’s definition of “ethics and morality”.</p>
<p>On the flip side, the GSIs are sweet. My GSI does put some of his opinion into the debate, but he can discuss both sides of the argument and forces both sides to think about their stance. Basically, he makes the whole class worth it…</p>
<p>The conservative clubs (besides College Republicans) do provide a good source of support on how to do debate against leftist thought. My GSI also said that the new generation of professors are more moderate and can appreciate both sides of an issue, thus, they are willing to understand conservative arguments. So conservatives can succeed at Michigan…just don’t expect to get everyone to love your view.</p>
<p>Michigan’s Policitcal Science department is a typical top rated PS program. Generally speaking, departments at the major schools, including Cal, Columbia, Harvard, Stanford and Yale, are going to be very liberal. Perhaps the PS departments at schools like Chicago, Duke and Princeton are more conservative, but even then, they will tend to be left of center.</p>