Christians in Higher Education: Investigating the Perceptions of Intellectual Diversity Among Evangelical Undergraduates at Elite Public Universities in Southern California

Abstract

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) in 2005 defined intellectual diversity as “the foundation of a learning environment that exposes students to a variety of political, ideological, and other perspectives” (p. 1). Although research has consistently found the professorate ideologically and politically left of center, many scholars today argue that the claim of ideological or intellectual orthodoxy on campus is largely tendentious. This study expands on research on intellectual diversity by focusing on evangelical undergraduate students attending elite institutions in southern California. The findings demonstrate that a significant correlation exists between students’ religious/political beliefs and perceptions of professor discrimination and bias, suggesting students’ perceptions of intellectual diversity are related to their values and beliefs. Implications of study are framed via Warren Nord's notions of secularization.