The following piece is an opinion and does not reflect the views of The Eagle and its staff. All opinions are edited for grammar, style and argument structure and fact-checked, but the opinions are the writer’s own.
In a few short months it will be that time of year again: class registration. As we prepare to spend copious amounts of screentime on Eagle Service and schedule meetings with our advisors, many students also consult the holy book of higher education: Rate My Professor. For anyone in the School of Public Affairs, professor reviews often contain gripes about personal biases and political leanings. But are such characteristics in government professors a true detriment to learning? I say no.
The best professors in SPA are those with extensive experience in their field. Because they spend years studying, teaching and working in various aspects of government and the legal system, it is logical that their beliefs would strengthen and be present in their teaching.
As many American University students hope to work in politics or related fields after graduation, learning to discern political opinions and facts is a vital skill. If you can’t realize that your professor’s tangent on President Donald Trump is based on their personal feelings, maybe this field isn’t for you.
If a professor deducts points from an assignment for a student having differing political beliefs, that is an issue. However, such occurrences are much less frequent than the fear-mongering online reviewers would have us believe. Furthermore, the University has structures in place to combat such occurrences, like the Grade Grievances Policy.
At American University, we have professors who have been appointed to government positions by the President of the United States, interviewed top officials and written presidential speeches. The allure of these professors lies not just in their knowledge but also in their experience. Having professors who actively participated in history, rather than just observing it, is more than worth the cost of some personal biases.
For those who feel they are in the minority in terms of political views at this school, the opinions of your professors and peers should not be seen as a drawback or a barrier to overcome. Politics is a diverse field with each voter having their own unique biases and opinions.
Those who feel they do not fit the average political belief system at American University are at an advantage because they can gain practical experience in civilly speaking with, collaborating with and learning from those with different views. This builds the skill set to engage with people of all political beliefs — a learning opportunity that spans far beyond a syllabus.
I urge you to step out of your comfort zone and learn from the accomplished professor with whom you may not always agree politically. Don’t let exaggerated claims on Rate My Professor scare you away from enriching and horizon-broadening educational experiences.
Addie DiPaolo is a senior in the School of Public Affairs and a columnist for The Eagle.
This article was edited by Quinn Volpe, Alana Parker and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Avery Grossman, Arin Burrell, Paige Caron, Andrew Kummeth. Fact-checking done by Aidan Crowe.
