Questionable College Teacher?

Question

I had a Western Civ teacher last year who says rebuilding New Orleans is a waste of time because its location and landscape make it a sitting duck for another hurricane. Those people should forget about New Orleans and move somewhere else. I was and still am shocked at his response. He asked my opinion and said they should start with what they have left and rebuild from there. his smart-aleck response to provoke the class into laughing at me (which worked) was to tell me there is nothing left. That same week, I watched the news and saw sections of the city still standing, albeit damaged.
This same teacher told the class it was okay for the early immigrants to take the Natives' land because they were less advanced and held no deeds to the land they lived on, and that all subsequent events have only benefitted them in the long run.
He makes it a point to put down feminists, liberals, and the French.
These are his opinions. Is he okay to express these opinions this way?

Answer 1

If he is a tenured professor he can openly express his "academic views" on anything, however questionable, without much fear of reprisal. This is usually part of "intellectual freedom" and "dialogue" (not the constitutional right to Free Speech).

If you find his opinions truly offensive, you might try scheduling a meeting with the Chair of his academic department or the Dean of the College. Describe what he has said about Native Americans, liberals, and women, and make sure to recall how he singled you out. They might be able to convince him to tone it down. If he is not yet tenured the Dean will certainly be interested in knowing how irresponsible of a scholar your professor is.

If you feel that you have been unfairly treated, try going to the university Ombudsperson. Most universities have an Ombudsperson to address student greivances.

In any case, there usually are a few academic firebrands and I hope that he hasn't alienated you too much from the study of history. Best of luck --

Answer 2

Everyone has the right to his opinion , as teacher he has guide lines to follow . The down fall - If you report him , the other teacher may be his friend and your teacher as well ( see the picture ) This man has paid for his education and your in your class still paying for yours .Would you like to take the course & cost over ? Now afet your finals ,( Keep notes on his behavior ) and take it to a new paper company .Or people of the broad so it might stop .New Orlean is below sea level and really why see something that horrible happen to so many humans again ? I agree it's not ajoking manner . And the teacher needs some mental help ! Until you have your degrees , just remember how he made you feel , if ever you decide to teach . I would hope more people , that would make a better teacher , would enter that career .But they go on to careers with higher pay .

Answer 3

I don't think it is OK to express his opinions in class like that. I would have to agree with him that rebuilding New Orleans in the same place is probably asking for trouble,(its below sea level!). As far as his other comments I don't agree with them at all. I would think that if he asked for an opinion from you and that makes fun of that opinion then he is a loser of a teacher and I would go out of my way to avoid future classes with him if not actually file a complaint with the Dean.

Answer 4

The teacher probably should be allowed to say such ignorant things, but ONLY as long as you are allowed to debate them in turn. AND only so long as he doesn't outright cross the line to using racial slurs, etc.

I would say that there should be some discretion exercised as to rebuilding in specific sections of the city that may be most vulnerable. But that in no way excuses the teacher's arrogance and downright cruelty in dismissing any and all thoughts of rebuilding...

Even the more vulnerable areas could have been protected more effectively if those responsible basically got their heads out of, well, a place that they don't belong. As witness the Army Corps of Engineers recent "mea culpa," where they admitted that design defects in the levee system played a critical role in the flooding..!

Then we have our fabulous Commander in Chief, Boy George, showing his "Steady leadership in times of change," (to quote his campaign ad) responding to a major disaster by flying off to play guitar with Mark Wills, a full day after the storm hit...

I would have been tempted to print a 20 by 30 sized copy of a picture of one of the still standing, lightly damaged areas and basically rub it in the teacher's, and everyone else's face come the next class session. But then that is just my wonderfully defiant personality. *grin*

Answer 5

Ma'am, in reference to his ideas of New Orleans, he makes perfect sense. What makes that region less prone to huricans this hurricane season, or any other, than last year? What is the point of constantly rebuilding New Orleans?

In reference to his views on feminists, libereal, and the French, yes, he has every right to express dislike for them. Where in the Constitution does it state that liberals can express their dislike for conservatives, but conservatives cannot express their dislike for liberals? If liberals can be activists why can't conservatives?

Answer 6

He is free to express just about any view he wants to, technically. Universities have a "free speech" policy. As long as he expresses them respectfully, and doesn't bully his students into accepting his view, or intimidate them from expressing their own counter-views, there's really nothing you can do.

But just as he has the right to free speech, so do you. If you feel differently (and obviously you do, very passionately), then you should express your opinions. Do this intelligently. Think through what you need to say. Challenge him by asking questions and getting him to back up his views. If you have an essay opportunity, that would be ideal.

You can also email him (all profs include their email addresses on their class outlines), and you can just kick off with something like, "Dr. X, I wanted to discuss your lecture about ...,".

Hope this helps.

Well, now that I think about it, your former teacher has a point (but that's my view). But from now on, when you feel differently than your profs do about an issue, don't be afraid to speak up. College is about critical thinking and challenging old ideas and reconstructing them.

Good luck.

Answer 7

He sounds like a great teacher. Listen well and learn.

And by the way, it is absolutely stupid to rebuild a city that was already below sea level and will be flooded again.