Professor not telling students his name nor providing a syllabus

Hey…one of my professors is not providing us with a syllabus, nor is he telling us his name. He does not write it down on the board and he told us to screw ourselves because we did not get a syllabus from him. Should I get a syllabus from the professor or no?

I find this difficult to believe. What purpose would any professor have in not telling you his name? Even if it is true, there are several different ways to find out a professor’s name - you can look it up on the website, or it’s listed in the course registration system, or if you use a course management system like Blackboard or WebCT it’s there too. I mean, if nothing else, you can ask your other professors in the same department or ask your dean.

Similarly, professors have zero to gain - and a lot to lose - by not providing a syllabus, so I’m kind of skeptical about the idea of a professor who doesn’t provide a syllabus and then tells students something rude when they, quite reasonably, ask for one. If that’s actually happening to you, you should go talk to the department head or your dean and let them know the situation.

report this to the college, immediately.
this guy should not be teaching students.

Go to the head of the department ASAP and tell them what you told us. Something is seriously wrong here.

It might help your cause to have several students to back up your claims, since they are so hard for anyone to believe. (Not saying you are lying, but unless this professor has already established a reputation in his department, you are going to have a tough time selling this story.)

Not sure how someone is starting class at this time of year (are you on a trimester system?), but if you are just getting started please try to get switched out of this professor’s class. If this truly is day one of a term, and the professor is acting like this, how do you think he will be later on? And what if you need help understanding the material, or have some tragic event/fall very ill/break a leg, etc…don’t count on this professor to give you any flexibility or cut you any slack.

Is this a tenured professor at a 4 year college? Or someone at a community college who was recruited from off the street to fill an open spot?

Run far away from this professor, even if it messes up your schedule for this term. It will not be worth the hassle you are most likely going to endure.

I saw him this morning and he said he will not give his name until the end of the semester next week. Weird, isn’t it. He told me that the syllabus will be provided on the last day, and he has the jurisdiction of doing so.

Transfer out of the class immediately.


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he told us to screw ourselves because we did not get a syllabus from him <<

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Do you mean that there was a time when the syllabus was available, and the professor refuses to give one to a student who did not get one at that time? It’s the word “because” I’m confused about.

He never gave a syllabus to anyone. He says that he does not give syllabus, nor quizzes. He is unique. He says that we have to wait for the time is right for him to decide to reveal his name and his syllabus.

Um- How did you sign up for the class if you didn’t know his name? There was no course catalog by which you could search course number and professor name teaching it before enrolling in the class?

And why is this class starting in December?

And you have only visited CC 7 times?

Something is rotten in Denmark…

The class started in September. I was given this course by my academic advisor, who wanted me to do an elective. It was an open slot at the time, so whoever got the position got it. He told us on day one, that it was not his responsibility to provide us his name, and he also said it was a safety issue if he told us his name. He would do it at his discretion. I want to know his syllabus because the final exam is coming up, and he did not even tell us how worth the final is to our grade. He says that he is a different type of professor, but I want to know his syllabus. If we ask the department, he told us, we will face punishment by him.

I only visited CC 7 times because I was so busy this semester.

His name is John Miller. He teaches English composition. He’s from Addley, PA.

Come on sschickens. I don’t even live in PA. And I don’t know John Miller. I want my course’s syllabus, but the professor is adamantly stubborn, and I will have to wait next week for his final decision.

It’s a Saving Private Ryan reference.

This story doesn’t make sense. When you look up the course on line what does it give for the instructor’s name?
How are you supposed to contact the professor if necessary?
Where is the professor’s office?
What does your advisor say about all of this?
Have you been to the registrar’s office to check who’s teaching the course?
What have your classmates done about the situation?
Why are you only dealing with this now?

As I said, this story doesn’t make sense. A professor can’t “punish” you for asking his name.

Some of my classmates tried to ask for help, but they did not respond back to them. The professor does not allow students to enter his office, he says that it is too private and he only accepts phone calls. When he calls, to cancel a class, it says “Restricted” so he is a very sensitive man. Sue, a professor can punish you for asking his name. This is America, and professors can do whatever they want it seems. I’m dealing with this now, because I had 3 tests and he never gives it back, nor did he post our grades on the college account. He says that he will tell us the grade if he wants to by the end of next week, or even next semester if he sees it fit.

This makes no sense whatsoever. If true, it is a major problem. Ask to meet with the department chair, in a group, if possible.

Pretty sure that this story is a complete fabrication by a bored student.

Yes, go meet with the department head and bring a classmate.

We had a faculty member who never handed out a syllabus and never mentioned to the students that there was a final exam until the last day of class. It was believed there were mental health issues involved. He did retire soon after.

You don’t know Tom. You weren’t there.