Monday, July 27, 2009

I'm with you professor.

The macroecon class I'm currently taking from the local community college is conducted through ICN (Iowa Communications Network). It's old school telecommunications. It's an improvement over the last class where I had no ability communicate directly in real time with my professor, but I still can't stand in front of him and demand his attention. I have to push a button and speak into a microphone (imagine NASA's headquarters, 1960 microphone, institutional cream colored) and watch him on a TV.

It's okay. I'm learning quite a bit and doing just enough to get my easy A. I learn best when I explain concepts to other students, and collaborate with them. There are 2 others that I work with often because they are serious. They like that I can teach them things. But the rest of my classmates make it very difficult to learn. They talk through the entire class. They make fun of and swear at the professor. They are rude to him when they speak to him. They make ridiculous statements claiming they know more than they really do.

I have nick-named my favorite Douche Bag. Douche Bag is a pseudo-intellectual, weighing in on the evil corporations, the state of the American economy, and how freaking fabulous France and Argentina are (so, God! When the hell will you just LEAVE and go to your precious euro trash countries and leave us the hell alone?!?!?!?). He's going to Wartburg to become a foreign diplomat and has claimed numerous times that he doesn't even know why he's being forced to take this class (ECONOMICS!) because he'll NEVER NEED IT!!!

The stupidity is almost too much for me!!!

He has been complaining about his grade in the last class he took with this professor, because his participation grade was not what he was expecting. He doesn't know why it took a hit. I know why. He's totally disrespectful, to the detriment of the class. If he acted as bad as he acts in this class (I mean, he even exaggerates his voice when answering worksheet questions to get a laugh from his classmates... how middle school is that? And I should know.) I wouldn't be surprised if he failed. That's what I would want to do if he treated me that way as an instructor.

Today our instructor hit his breaking point, after Douche Bag asked a question in a haughty and rude way. He yelled, swore (if "damn" is still a swear word), and got red in the face as he told him he will do what he tells him to. To which, Douche Bag responded, "No wonder you only teach at a community college." and stormed out. Ummmm, at least he's not attending a community college...

His head will be on a platter. He should have maintained his composure, he should have acted professionally, but I totally understand after putting up with Douche Bag all summer. Students were proclaiming they were going to call the Dean, write a petition, stand against this guy who acted out of line.

But he didn't. He has received nothing but disrespect. You get what you give. He is a relatively okay teacher given what the class is. And he shouldn't have to take that kind of abuse. Why can't the student be held accountable for his actions? I have half a mind to call the dean and defend him, but I don't know if it's my place. But I've been in his place.

4 comments:

carrie said...

oh yuck! i can't say that i have ever been in a class with such a douche bag but it sounds awful. isn't it amazing the different types of people in the world? i guess i am always truly amazed at what people get away with! maybe i watched too much little house on the prairee growing up but doesn't it seem like the bad guys always win? nobody is held accountable. i used to get really upset and rehash things over and over but at this point in my life i realized that people will not change and i will not change them so now i ask myself "what is god trying to show me through this person". i try to make it into a lesson for myself. i guess i just can't go on beleiving that there are asshole people roaming this earth that have no purpose... hang in there babe!

chrissyrudd said...

Yeah, I hear you about the "what should I be learning" part. It's just that that leads me to wonder, "is it my purpose to step up and do something about it"? Like drop kicking Douche Bag. I'm sure we'll hear all about how he went straight to the dean to get him fired. Pray for me that I don't flip out...

carrie said...

i don't think it is your purpose to "do" anything about it, it's not your battle even though he is an annoyance. that is for the professor to deal with although i know you feel for the professor becuase you can relate. it sounds to me like he will not be returning to class. if he does there is nothing wrong with cutting him off and saying that his behavior (AKA disrespectfulness) makes you uncomfortable and ask him to please exhibit some self control...it is always alittle smuggly satisfying to be the bigger person. if that doesn't work feel free to moon him. that is also effective and gets the point across....

Sarah said...

I just can't believe how disrespectful the students are who are taking the class. that is just sick to me. :( and disappointing too. this next generation of kids are SO like that and it really sucks. it's like they think everyone has to do a song and dance for them in order for them to "grace" the teacher with their respect and attention. BLECH!