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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP, I'm an academic (working outside academia right now) and my answer would vary depending on whether the professor is an adjunct or a FT professor. If it's the former, I'd definitely approach the department head and explain that you find the political digressions unhelpful. They may speak to him, they may reconsider his contract, they may do nothing - but this kind of stuff can impact the reputation of a program and hurt admissions.

If it's a tenured or tenure-track professor, you're unlikely to get much if any action based on a complaint like this. Include it in the course evaluation but unless his partisanship is interfering with your learning, there's almost no chance of any consequences for these kinds of childish snipes. [/quote]

+1.  Also an academic.  Department chairs evaluate adjuncts every semester and it's easy to not invite them back.  For tenured faculty, the most that would happen is a conversation with the dept chair and the professor is unlikely to change behavior.  Nothing wrong with complaining to the chair, though.  I used to be a dept chair and would get 3-4 complaints from students every semester.  So it wouldn't be out of place.  Tenure track faculty are more likely to take a conversation with the chair seriously and would probably adjust behavior.

I'd also agree with a pp, though, that this kind of stuff isn't as big of a deal with adults in grad programs.  What I would really advise is that you challenge the professor the next time he does it.  Make strong, cogent arguments and have a debate!  More fun (and more educational!) for everyone.[/quote]

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