<p>So I got stuck with a very bad math professor. There is no way out of it; this section was created due to too many students wanting to take the course. Everyone agrees that he cannot teach (I believe this is his first time teaching at UM). It is an honors math class so this is really upsetting. </p>
<p>I mean, I could get by and self-teach from the book, but I'm not paying for a class that I can teach myself. That's just absurd.</p>
<p>Is there a way to appeal this? I believe the math department assigned him this section on a whim because the section itself was created a day before the semester began...</p>
<p>Just a reminder that he’s not exactly being paid to “teach” at this level, rather, he’s there to impart or possibly mentor, which is a very different matter. His research and contributions to his field of study may be what have him on the team as opposed to his natural born aptitude to teach. If you propose to know more than the department head or human resources about the value of a collaborator, hey, complain away. I don’t think it will assist you much, but if he’s as bad as you claim, it may be helpful for the department to know about it.
I’d check the attitude about “I’m not paying for a class that I can teach myself” at the door because it reflects poorly on your judgment. Were that true, you shouldn’t be there at all. And for heaven sake’s, why would you appeal? Just take a different freakin course or change your schedule around.
And as for practical advice about how to manage if you stay in the class, indeed teach yourself and get help if you need it.</p>
<p>Can you take this math course next semester, or even next year with the teacher of your choice? If so, do it. Fill it in with another gen ed class or elective that you need to get out of the way.</p>
<p>Greens, it’d probably be wise to take it later, but I can’t for many reasons: it’s not offered in the fall semester, I already took last semester off for math, and I need it for my major.</p>
<p>kmccrindle, I know I come off as ignorant, but it really is bad. I just don’t understand the situation. I always thought UM had a lot of resources, including professors…</p>
<p>Fair enough – but the situation is pretty easy to understand. For some reason having nothing to do with you, U of M has decided to hire this prof – and you’ve decided that this prof “cannot teach.” But at work, play or school there is always someone who’s not a fit – and the burden is yours to bring yourself to the challenge and work around the obstacle. So, teach yourself as much as you can, take advantage of the math tutoring available, give the prof the honest (and poor) assessment and the end of the term if warranted OR bail now (you have a week left, right?) and take it later. You may also wish to MEET with said prof, to tell him you’re having difficulty following his lesson, is there something you could do differently, etc.
Good luck.</p>
<p>I don’t know if the drop add deadline has passed. Sometimes sections open after they have previously been closed and you can switch. You could also beg for an override from an instructor in another section. Persistence can pay off.</p>
<p>Another possibility is sit in on another section of the same class if the instructor in the other class doesn’t object.</p>
<p>The instructor can make a big difference and you need to be able to make an assessment of the situation and take prompt action if you are placed in a bad situation.</p>
<p>Another alternative is to bail out of honors and take the non-honors equivalent</p>