D@mn it! Got stuck with a bad teacher.

[Mookow]

I'm filling out one of my "diversity" requirements this summer by taking an african-american history class this summer. I enrolled a couple days late, so today was my first day in lecture. I'm going to hate this class. Not because of the material, but because of my lecturer (he isnt an actual professor). Today alone, we got to listen to him rant about how the developed nations owe all their wealth to Africans, as prior to their enslavement no one had any capital. How he hopes that some day there will be reparations. Not just in America, but all the developed nations giving their wealth to the nations of Africa, to the point of impoverishing themselves, but that that would only be a start in erasing their debt. Karl Marx was the most brilliant whitey that ever lived. Greek civilization was founded by Egyptians that sailed across the Med. And, to top it all off, "If you have any attitudes or smart remarks, do yourself a favor and drop the class" (that is a direct quote, I wrote it down). He said that little gem after I questioned him (very politely, might I add) for historical sources on the "The Egyptians started Greek (and thus Western) civilization". Oh, yeah, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, he is going to be starting class 15 minutes earlier than scheduled, and letting out 15 minutes early, because otherwise he might miss his bus :roll: . Doesnt really effect me as I have free time to accomodate it, but it definitely isnt very professional.

Does anyone have a MOPP suit I can use? I dont think my chest waders are going to be enough to wade through the bullsh!t of this class.

 

[lancestorm]

I would argue against the class starting early. Is there no one in class that doesn't have a class prior to this one? If they did, I doubt they would ever be on time... and I'm positive the university would look down upon a change in the time schedule just so a teacher could make his bus....what a bunch of bullhonkey.

 

[Steve]

Just drop that class, find something better. Don't waste your time.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: sm8000
Just drop that class, find something better. Don't waste your time.

 

[woowoo]

Invest in earplugs......

 

[GasX]

better yet. tape every class and submit them to the dean at the end of the semester and demand free tuition to keep you from releasing copies to the press.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: sm8000
Just drop that class, find something better. Don't waste your time.

I've got to either take this class, or another one very similar. Right now is a very convenient time for me to take it. Otherwise I'd definitely have dropped it.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
better yet. tape every class and submit them to the dean at the end of the semester and demand free tuition to keep you from releasing copies to the press.

His syllabus does say tape recorders are allowed in class... hmmmmmmm.

Although, I dont know if releasing it to the press would do anything, the only big local paper is very liberal, and the TV news stations arent much better.

 

[Feldenak]

Makes me glad I don't have to take any such "diversity" classes.

 

[Mr N8]

Sounds about as good as my Women's Issues class. I had to fullfll my diversity req, and it was the only open class. Turns out, they should have just called the class, "Men are pigs, Lesbians Rule."

I did get an A in it, though, because I sat through it, was respectful, and I was the first guy to finish the course in the 3 years that woman taught it.

 

[phreakah]

Go Here to get ratings on professors

 

[Ilmater]

Originally posted by: Mookow

Originally posted by: Mwilding
better yet. tape every class and submit them to the dean at the end of the semester and demand free tuition to keep you from releasing copies to the press.

His syllabus does say tape recorders are allowed in class... hmmmmmmm.

Although, I dont know if releasing it to the press would do anything, the only big local paper is very liberal, and the TV news stations arent much better.

First of all, that's not surprising. If I were you, I'd tape the lectures and then contact O'Reilly. If he actually had you on the show, you would have some clout behind you to get a refund or something similar.

As for taking ANY class that doesn't teach facts, how are you supposed to study for tests? If this guy is teaching things that can't be backed up by any textbook, you can't very well study for them, can you?

 

[Bowmaster]

Just suck it up, act like you care and TOTALLY agree with the teacher - take your A (or B or whatever) and never look back.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: Bowmaster
Just suck it up, act like you care and TOTALLY agree with the teacher - take your A (or B or whatever) and never look back.

You are going to go places, son. I know it...

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: Bowmaster
Just suck it up, act like you care and TOTALLY agree with the teacher - take your A (or B or whatever) and never look back.

I dont know, if I acted like I entirely agreed with him I'd have to commit seppuku or another form of suicide before the end of the term.

I'll probably just keep my mouth shut. But OTOH, the ombudsman does owe me a favor for staying late to get his computer working. I could debate the guy, take my low grade, tapes of the classes, copies of my tests, and have a chat with the ombudsman. But thats a lot of work and might not pan out...

 

[Yax]

Originally posted by: Ilmater

Originally posted by: Mookow

Originally posted by: Mwilding
better yet. tape every class and submit them to the dean at the end of the semester and demand free tuition to keep you from releasing copies to the press.

His syllabus does say tape recorders are allowed in class... hmmmmmmm.

Although, I dont know if releasing it to the press would do anything, the only big local paper is very liberal, and the TV news stations arent much better.

First of all, that's not surprising. If I were you, I'd tape the lectures and then contact O'Reilly. If he actually had you on the show, you would have some clout behind you to get a refund or something similar.

As for taking ANY class that doesn't teach facts, how are you supposed to study for tests? If this guy is teaching things that can't be backed up by any textbook, you can't very well study for them, can you?

Text books != facts

Text Books = Educated opinions written by someone who earned a degree of competancy in his/her field.

 

[DrPizza]

Whatever you do, DON'T argue with teachers like that. (unless your grade is based soley on answers to multiple choice questions) Most of the time, in classes like that, I've seen that the questions require short answers of a sentence or two. Then, it's up to the *opinion* of the person grading the exam as to what grade you're going to get.

edit: I learned the hard way:
Philosophy class:
"what do you think the artist's deep meaning is behind this work of art?"
Note: "work of art" means 5 concentric squares, yellow square in the center, then red, then blue, then white, then red again.

student 1: "I think the artist is going through the grief cycle of learning he has cancer or something. The red outside represents the anger, ...., and the yellow represents his final acceptance shortly before his death."

Student 2: "wow, mannnn, that's really deep. I think he's trying to like say through the yellow center that like the communists in China are like, really weak. The red surrounding it represents like Russia's superior strength to China, but then the outer rings show that democracy is like supreme or something. Wowww mannn."

Prof is loving it. Then asks me for my response:
"Maybe the deep inner meaning isn't so deep at all. Maybe the artist was just bored and doodling. [I hold up my notebook] See, I'm doodling. In my opinion these doodles are better than that portrait, and their only meaning is that I'm bored."

Yup, I failed. 5 page paper on Plato? F. 5 page paper on Socrates? F after the 3rd F, I realized it was futile.

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Whatever you do, DON'T argue with teachers like that. (unless your grade is based soley on answers to multiple choice questions) Most of the time, in classes like that, I've seen that the questions require short answers of a sentence or two. Then, it's up to the *opinion* of the person grading the exam as to what grade you're going to get.

Is that worse than judging students based on thier willingness to pledge thier allegience to something?

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: notfred

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Whatever you do, DON'T argue with teachers like that. (unless your grade is based soley on answers to multiple choice questions) Most of the time, in classes like that, I've seen that the questions require short answers of a sentence or two. Then, it's up to the *opinion* of the person grading the exam as to what grade you're going to get.

Is that worse than judging students based on thier willingness to pledge thier allegience to something?

lmao, *that* again. Tell ya what. I'll judge them positively based on not saying it. Then would you be happy? You're saying that I should base my judgement of their character on only a very limited subset of the knowledge I have of the student? Grades are one thing - that doesn't enter into grading. Character assessment is another thing. And, I don't soley base an assessment on only 1 piece of my knowledge of a student. But, saying the pledge *IS* something I know about the student. But, character assessments are based on opinions and ideals. I just happen to think that saying the pledge to the flag is favorable.

Anyway, as I said, don't argue with professors who can base your grades on whatever they want. There are some profs that enjoy lively discussions in class and feel that's an excellent way to learn, especially on something like diversity. But, he obviously doesn't sound like one of these.

 

[preslove]

Just to set the record straight, this teacher is not a "liberal" he is an idiot. Saying, "The Egyptians started the Greek Civilization" is so fvcking retarded on so many levels that I don't really want to get dirty by touching it. Most scholarship points to the Minoans on Crete as being the major precursors to the Greeks, with lots of influence from rest of the Mediterranean polities, which includes Egypt. I say drop the class and look for an African American history class with a good teacher. I really liked the one I took in high school/community college (I dual enrolled), but I had an awesome professor.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: preslove
Just to set the record straight, this teacher is not a "liberal" he is an idiot. Saying, "The Egyptians started the Greek Civilization" is so fvcking retarded on so many levels that I don't really want to get dirty by touching it. Most scholarship points to the Minoans on Crete as being the major precursors to the Greeks, with lots of influence from rest of the Mediterranean polities, which includes Egypt. I say drop the class and look for an African American history class with a good teacher. I really liked the one I took in high school/community college (I dual enrolled), but I had an awesome professor.

There's a difference?

I kid, I kid. But seriously, between his pro-affirmative action, pro-reparations, and the fact that I can infer he agrees with Marx on many issues (due to the fact that he considers him brilliant)... he's a liberal IMO. I can update this thread as time goes on, I presume he'll continue ranting off topic...

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: Mookow

Originally posted by: preslove
Just to set the record straight, this teacher is not a "liberal" he is an idiot. Saying, "The Egyptians started the Greek Civilization" is so fvcking retarded on so many levels that I don't really want to get dirty by touching it. Most scholarship points to the Minoans on Crete as being the major precursors to the Greeks, with lots of influence from rest of the Mediterranean polities, which includes Egypt. I say drop the class and look for an African American history class with a good teacher. I really liked the one I took in high school/community college (I dual enrolled), but I had an awesome professor.

There's a difference?

I kid, I kid. But seriously, between his pro-affirmative action, pro-reparations, and the fact that I can infer he agrees with Marx on many issues (due to the fact that he considers him brilliant)... he's a liberal IMO. I can update this thread as time goes on, I presume he'll continue ranting off topic...

I'm saying he's not an @$$hole because he's a "liberal" but because he's an idiot. There are lot's of stupid people listening to Bill O'Reilly... wait, bad analogy, they're all idiots. George Will! Lot's of people agree with him (conservatives) and aren't idiots. Anyway, this dude isn't gonna get anywhere in Academia spouting sh!t about Egyptions starting Greek civilization, which means he is not someone you should take a class with. Drop the class, fill some other requirement and move on. Where do you go to school? You should have some lattitude in meeting requirements.

 

[Mookow]

Originally posted by: preslove
I'm saying he's not an @$$hole because he's a "liberal" but because he's an idiot. There are lot's of stupid people listening to Bill O'Reilly... wait, bad analogy, they're all idiots. George Will! Lot's of people agree with him (conservatives) and aren't idiots. Anyway, this dude isn't gonna get anywhere in Academia spouting sh!t about Egyptions starting Greek civilization, which means he is not someone you should take a class with. Drop the class, fill some other requirement and move on. Where do you go to school? You should have some lattitude in meeting requirements.

Well, when you've taken your politics that far from reality, you are an idiot, IMO. When your beliefs on the way the world should work (and which you want to see implemented) are that far removed from reality, you're an idiot, plain and simple. The same thing can be said for some types of people that call themselves conservative. Anyone who has political views that are at a 90 degree angle to reality either isnt using their brain, or they dont have one.

 

[Bowmaster]

You are going to go places, son. I know it...

You can't fight against bad teachers teaching a soft subject. I am a scientist and an engineer - no BS answers allowed here, thank you.

 

[Orsorum]

Originally posted by: Bowmaster

You are going to go places, son. I know it...

You can't fight against bad teachers teaching a soft subject. I am a scientist and an engineer - no BS answers allowed here, thank you.

That's a damn good quote, and there is some truth to it. I'm very surprised that in three years at one of the top universities on the West coast, I've never run into a highly liberal professor. A few suspect ones, surely, but no one that was stark raving loony.