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Rodney has hit the nail on the head with his comparison between attending school 30 years ago and today. What I would like to elaborate on, though, is simply this: there really hasn't been a "perfect" example of what a College or University should be. If you took a dispassionate look at the various forms which have cropped up through the ages, arguments could be made against every last one of them...and some of them are still around today (Oxford, anyone?).
Those ex-military members of Rodney's classes had the right idea: question, question, question. Take nothing at face value, and always look beyond the "required" reading to find opposing thoughts and opinions on whatever topic you're dealing with. You may or may not agree with the literature, or the professor for that matter, but the whole purpose of obtaining a Liberal Arts degree is to develop the skills to seek the broader truth....even if (or when) it conflicts with your beliefs.
Don't worry too much about incurring the wrath of a pissed-off professor. While tenure does provide job security, it does not prevent censure or other means of reprimand - and quite frequently such actions will result in monetary damages when salaries are reviewed (i.e.-they get a smaller raise, if any). As a result, it is quite rare to find one who will pursue a vendetta over something as basic as a conflicting (if vocal) viewpoint.
...And if they do, keep documentation of your work and appeal any grades you receive.
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