2008 Woodie Awards
Don't judge profs by their syllabus
Becky Korpi
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: Opinion
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Although the beginning of the school year means a return to the rigors of classes, homework and all-night study sessions, many students are at least grateful for a reprieve from the "as long as you're under my roof, you'll abide by my rules" lectures of their parents. Unfortunately, sometimes that doesn't end, even in the classroom.
It's customary on the first day of classes for instructors to hand out syllabi - outlines that detail class objectives and assignments as well as instructor expectations and contact information (which tend to be ignored by students until they need to know what they've slept through all year). Those who pay attention to how syllabi are worded often learn tidbits about a instructor's personality - a lax philosophy about late work can imply that the instructor will be lenient about other issues too, for example.
It's when an instructor writes like an authoritarian that things become disheartening. Some of the NMU syllabi I perused in researching this column make extreme uses of underlines, italics, boldface and CAPITAL LETTERS, an approach that made me feel I was being punished. I can't imagine what it is like for students taking those classes, already feeling on the first day as though they'd done something wrong.
I'm sure if instructors received a hand-out from a student that implored them not to lecture in a monotone voice because it's super boring and makes everyone fall asleep AND FURTHERMORE DON'T KEEP THE CLASS LATE for any reason or you WILL get an F, they would feel apprehensive as well.
One of those syllabi came from associate professor Barbara Coleman in the HPER department. After reading through her syllabus for PE 230: Fitness Leadership, I was hesitant to ask her any questions. Phrases like "DO NOT contact the instructor to ask 'what'd I miss?'" along with an entire italicized paragraph about proper laptop usage, led me to believe that this woman wasn't one to mess with.
"I don't try to sound like that, and I hope it doesn't come off that way," she said. "I just really try to push (students) to be ready for the working world, and not a lot of slack can be cut there."
It's customary on the first day of classes for instructors to hand out syllabi - outlines that detail class objectives and assignments as well as instructor expectations and contact information (which tend to be ignored by students until they need to know what they've slept through all year). Those who pay attention to how syllabi are worded often learn tidbits about a instructor's personality - a lax philosophy about late work can imply that the instructor will be lenient about other issues too, for example.
It's when an instructor writes like an authoritarian that things become disheartening. Some of the NMU syllabi I perused in researching this column make extreme uses of underlines, italics, boldface and CAPITAL LETTERS, an approach that made me feel I was being punished. I can't imagine what it is like for students taking those classes, already feeling on the first day as though they'd done something wrong.
I'm sure if instructors received a hand-out from a student that implored them not to lecture in a monotone voice because it's super boring and makes everyone fall asleep AND FURTHERMORE DON'T KEEP THE CLASS LATE for any reason or you WILL get an F, they would feel apprehensive as well.
One of those syllabi came from associate professor Barbara Coleman in the HPER department. After reading through her syllabus for PE 230: Fitness Leadership, I was hesitant to ask her any questions. Phrases like "DO NOT contact the instructor to ask 'what'd I miss?'" along with an entire italicized paragraph about proper laptop usage, led me to believe that this woman wasn't one to mess with.
"I don't try to sound like that, and I hope it doesn't come off that way," she said. "I just really try to push (students) to be ready for the working world, and not a lot of slack can be cut there."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 2
Chris D.
posted 9/14/07 @ 3:06 PM EST
Being an alumni of Northern Michigan I sometimes read the North Wind to find out what's going on. I really think that an opinion story on this subject is just funny, also time waisting. (Continued…)
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