Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
We finally found housing for fall!
The neighbors say only the small ones bite. Good thing we only saw big ones.Friday, July 11, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
to be or not to be in Humanities 202
Steve did it.
He learned how to post on our blog. And he is way excited about it. So much enthusiasm only inspires me to post again. He already covered our sleeping arrangements, so now I move to number two on the list of what is most interesting with us- which is a hard choice. Since most of our time besides that which is spent sleeping is spent at work or school, I would have to say second place would be one of those.
I choose school. Tails won.
A syllabus is the teacher's presentation to the student of themselves. Yes, it seems rare to find more than the objectives, assignments, and basic information at first glance, but I feel upon closer look a syllabus is a physical extension of the teacher's thoughts and feelings in regards to the class and students they are about to teach. Just as universities feel justified in judging a student's intellectual capacities and understanding of concepts through grading rubrics typically based on neatness, usage of correct grammar, and the ability to form complete, compelling, and original thoughts, I feel justified in arguing that a professor should be accountable in the same form.
Whether a few pages in length or hefty enough to be congruous to a dissertation, a syllabus is often the first take- home impression a student will be given of a professor. It is important to note that a syllabus is given, often handed out row by row, as a voluntary offering to the critical minds of the students taught by these very professors to diligently analyze, read between the lines, and dig for the author's deeper meaning hidden in the texts pored over in classes. Knowing the liberal arts tradition that their students are being drilled in, it surprises me the carelessness often found in the potentially very powerful syllabi professors deliver. A syllabus physically shows their level of preparation for the class, their attention to detail, and judging by the overall look of the pages, their interest in creativity. A syllabus riddled with typos show holes in the professor's ability to proofread his or her own work. Digging deeper, it could mean that a professor did not allow themselves the needed amount of time to make a typographically sound presentation of their ideas. Digging deeper, does the professor have an issue with time management? When the syllabus says no late assignments accepted, is this merely a form of self punishment as they consider their own faults? I ask again; are professors aware of what they are delivering (their vulnerable souls) in their syllabi?
Perhaps I'm digging too deep. Going back to surface level, a common and easily spotted syllabus error is when a professor doesn't even bother to change the dates from a syllabus handed out the previous semester or term. This shows several things- a lack of preparation for the class, apathy towards inaccuracy (a dangerous trait in a professor), and an arguable sense of stagnation if nothing changes from semester to semester to term to term. On the other hand, a sound syllabus reflects favorably, especially if it allows for any sense of aesthetics, and reveals no major weaknesses that I, the critical student, would exploit in their class in revenge for their hypocritical behavior.
He learned how to post on our blog. And he is way excited about it. So much enthusiasm only inspires me to post again. He already covered our sleeping arrangements, so now I move to number two on the list of what is most interesting with us- which is a hard choice. Since most of our time besides that which is spent sleeping is spent at work or school, I would have to say second place would be one of those.
I choose school. Tails won.
A syllabus is the teacher's presentation to the student of themselves. Yes, it seems rare to find more than the objectives, assignments, and basic information at first glance, but I feel upon closer look a syllabus is a physical extension of the teacher's thoughts and feelings in regards to the class and students they are about to teach. Just as universities feel justified in judging a student's intellectual capacities and understanding of concepts through grading rubrics typically based on neatness, usage of correct grammar, and the ability to form complete, compelling, and original thoughts, I feel justified in arguing that a professor should be accountable in the same form.
Whether a few pages in length or hefty enough to be congruous to a dissertation, a syllabus is often the first take- home impression a student will be given of a professor. It is important to note that a syllabus is given, often handed out row by row, as a voluntary offering to the critical minds of the students taught by these very professors to diligently analyze, read between the lines, and dig for the author's deeper meaning hidden in the texts pored over in classes. Knowing the liberal arts tradition that their students are being drilled in, it surprises me the carelessness often found in the potentially very powerful syllabi professors deliver. A syllabus physically shows their level of preparation for the class, their attention to detail, and judging by the overall look of the pages, their interest in creativity. A syllabus riddled with typos show holes in the professor's ability to proofread his or her own work. Digging deeper, it could mean that a professor did not allow themselves the needed amount of time to make a typographically sound presentation of their ideas. Digging deeper, does the professor have an issue with time management? When the syllabus says no late assignments accepted, is this merely a form of self punishment as they consider their own faults? I ask again; are professors aware of what they are delivering (their vulnerable souls) in their syllabi?
Perhaps I'm digging too deep. Going back to surface level, a common and easily spotted syllabus error is when a professor doesn't even bother to change the dates from a syllabus handed out the previous semester or term. This shows several things- a lack of preparation for the class, apathy towards inaccuracy (a dangerous trait in a professor), and an arguable sense of stagnation if nothing changes from semester to semester to term to term. On the other hand, a sound syllabus reflects favorably, especially if it allows for any sense of aesthetics, and reveals no major weaknesses that I, the critical student, would exploit in their class in revenge for their hypocritical behavior.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)