Caroline Darling

Honors in Communication Studies

Major: Communication Studies

Supervisor: Jennifer Brubaker, Communication Studies

The Effect of Instructors’ Political Ideology and Discussion in the Classroom: Are Students at an Advantage or Disadvantage?

Abstract Political discussion has surfaced in many college classrooms with the build up to the 2008 election. College professors have had the responsibility of directing these political discussions to guide their students’ views. This paper will examine the political socialization process, assessing how the role of student teachers, their education, and the specifics of their learning environment affect political experience. I will consider educational aspects such as the role of professors, what makes for a conducive learning environment, students’ perceptions of professors and their behaviors, students’ comfort level of expressing opinions, both similar and opposing, and the selection of these classes and the professors who run them.