The Invisible Thread: The Influence of Liberal Faculty on Student Political Views at Evangelical Colleges. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hunt, Emily; Davignon, Phil
• Is Part Of: Journal of college and character. Volume 17:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 189
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Education, Higher -- Social aspects -- United States -- Periodicals; Education, Higher -- Aims and objectives -- United States -- Periodicals; Citizenship -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- Periodicals; 378.015
• DOI: 10.1080/2194587X.2016.1195750
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2194-587X

Abstract

Abstract: This analysis examines the influences of family background and faculty political views on student political views at Evangelical colleges and universities. While the college-effects literature confirms that student interaction with faculty, peers, and the institution challenges pre-existing perspectives, many American Evangelical colleges are conservative and often reinforce rather than challenge mainstream Evangelical beliefs. Results from this analysis suggest that Evangelical colleges and universities with a greater percentage of liberal faculty influence students to become more liberal, even when accounting for the generally conservative upbringing of students. The net result of a more liberal "invisible thread" is a press against the right-leaning partisanship of American Evangelicalism.