I thought it odd that the entire first lecture was almost entirely opinion based, in the format of a rant really, and I was wondering if this were meant to draw some sort of reaction from the class that would then be fed into some larger lesson, assignment or idea.
As it turns out, I was wrong. I did some research, and there’s a large consensus that the guy is just nuts and the class entirely consists of listening to his rants about any given subject and then regurgitating them in the written assignments. Failure to do so supposedly results in a poor grade. It was also stated multiple times that he tends to yell at students who disagree with him, which I don’t want to deal with. I don’t mind that he disagrees with me, I mind that he won’t accept that some students disagree with him.
I’m at a community college and this class is required for me to transfer. I’m in the only offered class with the only offered professor, and after the first day of being present in the class, I can’t stand it, which really sucks because the subject seemed like it was going to be really interesting and I had been quite excited about it.
Should I tough it out, tell the guy what he wants to hear, despite my disagreements (which are both political and apolitical, the guy goes on about everything from what I can tell and what I’ve heard) or should I just drop the class and risk not having the classes I need to transfer?
Now, should I challenge him or just go with it? I never intended to be very vocal because I respect other people’s differing opinions, but this guy doesn’t seem to, so for all I know even a slight deviation might set him off. Honesty or efficiency? That’s the choice this environment forces people to make.
I never claimed to hold any belief’s I thought with absolute certainty were correct, I simply don’t appreciate that this professor does. “Good grade” shouldn’t mean selling out to anyone. This isn’t just political though, this guy believes some crazy stuff, conspiracy theories and (allegedly; time shall tell if this one was true) apocalyptic, prophetic stuff.
@Hunt Alright, thanks for your input, I’ll do my best. Won’t be surprised if a bunch of people drop the class though, guy sitting next to me was whispering the same stuff I was thinking.
Do you have any other cc’s in your area? Maybe you could take it as a winter or summer course at another cc and transfer it back to your current school.
@austinmshauri Nah, too much effort for too little. I don’t mind pushing through now that I know what it will be like. Not fantastic but once you get into the right mindset it’s not too bad.
@philosofish
You don’t have to respect other people’s opinions, you should only respect well-argued conclusions. It should be noted however, that by using the word “respect”, I mean “concede validity and appreciation/approval”, and I think you mean it in a slightly different way about allowing them the right to say whatever opinion they have and not be a jerk to them.
Then the question becomes whether or not he is backing up his “rant” with facts and statistics or he is just giving an unfounded opinion. If it’s the first then he is challenging your preconceived notions and argumentative skills, if the latter then you might just have to sit there and endure if it might mean a lower grade otherwise.