Just to keep expectations straight:
1) I recognize that not everybody can always do all readings and always
be prepared all the time.
2) I recognize that there is a core of students who do their best to
do enough of the readings most of the time to keep up
Now, this class IS NOT much work.
--We are using an upper-level undergrad text as the guiding framework.
--The readings are fairly short and fairly easy each week
--You don't have to work that hard for a decent grade
--The quizzes are basically easy and highly superficial
BUT: THE CLASS IS BUILT ON TRUST!
--I trust you to do the readings
--I trust you to think about ideas and issues and keep up on
current events and show some respect for the intellectual
substance of the course
Here are some hints:
1) Unexcused absences, as indicated on the first day of class, are
unacceptable. I know that you can't all make class all the time. But to
blow it off and not attempt, in advance, to notify the instructor so
we don't have to wait a few extra minutes, or so that we can plan
on up to 5 people being absent, is inexcusable.
If you're not in class, you can't participate. That means you lose,
off the top, 7 points from your class participation grade (14 meetings,
100 CP points = 7 pct). This is grad school, folks.
It is unacceptable to try to do the readings a day before the class.
You should STUDY the material. There isn't that much! Yes, many of you do.
Many don't! If you don't have the time to put into the course, drop it.
This is grad school, folks.
It's simply NOT acceptable to bring readings to class and read on the
fly, and flip through the pages to get a clue. You should have a pre-class
clue. This is grad school, folks!
It's not acceptable, when the instructor gives a lecture on some key
points, then asks some basic questions about those points, that a core
of people look like a deer in the headlights. If you can't follow, or
don't get something, ASK! But, when 5-10 minutes is spend on a topic
and folks seem a bit asleep and wonder where I'm pulling the questions
from after I emphasized it, and when it's material that's been introduced,
albeit indirectly, earlier, and when I get those glazed looks, you can
bet that I'm gonna blow.
This is grad school, folks!
There seems to be a growing culture of decling standards in soci 589 and,
from what I've heard, in some other grad classes. It stops in soci 589.
What I won't tolerate is what appears to be the decline of standards
among some students in this class.
Let me suggest the following:
1) YOU MUST do the readings, at least most of the time.
2) You MUST at least pretend that you're a grad student
3) You'd best NEVER AGAIN come to SOCI 589 unprepared.
Thank you for listening.
I repeat: Many ARE doing exceptional work. But way too many aren't.
To those who aren't: Repeat the mantra: This is grad school; Deal with it.