Barbelith Underground > Head Shop > Contrapower in the Classroom: Harassment of Women in Power

Could you explain the term "classroom heat"?

Generally, I have taken it to mean classroom tension or controversy which then usually results in a struggle for power (read: control of the classroom atmosphere). This can result from "hot button" topics (such as religion or abortion) or can come about if a student dislikes the professor for any reason and refuses to resolve the issue directly. I've seen this--student has an issue with the professor or perhaps just the fact that this professor is a woman--but denies there is a problem.

Then, even worse, the student becomes the martyr and the professor is vilified.

This student denial can come about in the form of response to direct confrontation. (And confrontation doesn't mean pinning the student down; it can just as easily be a casual question). The professor may ask the student if s/he has concerns. Possibly, more likely, the professor may approach the student to discuss instances of student behavior that indicate tension (i.e. behavior/comments made in class, course emails, etc.)

It is the lack of resolution and the struggle for control of the atmosphere of the classroom that create this "heat." For whatever reason, the student may be unwilling or unable to separate his or her frustrations with the professor with the fact that the professor has the right (and often needs that right for her ever-loving sanity) to have control over the classroom atmosphere so that it is a safe and solid container for everyone.

I've noticed in research that there is a significant amount of focus on what occurs in the classroom and what the professor needs to do to re-establish control. Also addressed is how the professor needs to sensitively approach the student—almost as if the professor is some sort of social bull in a china shop. Something was bothering me about that and I just realized what it is.

In most of this research, the professor is almost stripped of their personhood. They are sort of this generic figure, while the student (in the research) is afforded a fully-dimensional presence.

In other words, where is the discussion and research about these live, feeling professors? Where is the discussion about these human beings, women who are being harassed for having a position of authority?