Hi all-
I’m a first-year transfer student from a community college in southern California. I have taken a course in Public Speaking but it doesn’t articulate to the UCD courses for Public Speaking according to the year I took the course. I need Public Speaking for my degree, but only as preparatory subject matter. My major advisor told me I could “argue” for the course by going to the Communications department.
Does anyone have any insight into arguing for courses to count as UC credit? I have printed out my community college transcripts, the 2014 public speaking course syllabus (YES, I do still have all the files for every course I’ve ever taken…), the 2014 catalog w/course description for my community college, and the 2018 catalog w/course description for UCD. I am not sure where to go from here or who to contact- do I go directly to the Department Chair?
Has anyone had any experience with arguing a course? Would love to hear any tips/stories/anything!
I would start by changing the verb you use when you show up to plead your case.
Redress, appeal (anything but argue)
I was able to receive credit for a new course that covered the same material but was renamed and moved from one department to another after a 10 year hiatus from the institution with just the book and my old transcript because it was a prerequisite for a class I wanted to take. I was respectful, said what I wanted and why I wanted it, and was very grateful when my request was granted.
- Know exactly what you want - what is the class you are seeking credit for and it's learning objectives? Bring a printed version of everything you can find on the class you are seeking credit for including syllabus if you can find a copy and a copy of the text book (you can usually borrow the book from the library) As well as those items for the class you took.
- Demonstrate you have met all the objectives and the class you took covered the same material or more. Ex. see this class requires 3 presentations, the class I took required me to do four, etc.
- Plead/beg, I really would like to receive credit for this because it is a prerequisite for Professor X's such and such class and I am really looking forward to taking it, I hope I can etc.
- Never argue, listen to concerns of the person deciding the case and see if you can come back with additional information if it feels like they are about to deny your request. For example say, "that is very thoughtful/insightful let me see if I can address that and get back to you" When you come back you might be able to get a different person, but an outright denial at this second level should be avoided if possible. Send a thank you note for their time and patience.
- Understand that if they grant you credit they are setting a precedent for everyone else that has had this class and it will be entered into their system. Ask questions about how that system works, sometimes giving you credit will open a bunch of work for the person and it's important you understand that since they may need to get the credit approved by a committee. This is why it is so important to demonstrate the classes are the same, so the person deciding whether or not to move this decision up the ladder if need be doesn't have to do that legwork, you should show up with everything they might need. If others were not respectful through this process and were denied you will have a tougher case to make. Keep your cool, defer to their opinions whether you agree or not, understand their position but state your case as effectively as possible.