My professor just failed me [University

On May 02 2012 04:32 Torte de Lini wrote:
So I saw my advisor.
He's good friends with Yael Glick and he said maybe she asked out of worry or interest (which I assure you, she did not). Then he said not to interpret it too far and file a grade re-evaluation about it.

He also asked inquisitively if I did have a mental illness.

P.S: I know he's good friends with her because I had two teachers confirm it.

P.S.S: Done with this blog entry, just gonna handle it on my own. Thanks for all criticisms and suggestions.

Does anyone remember that class in Sociology, 400-level where I had trouble fitting in? Well, I just got my grade back for the class: F.

I'm the only one to have failed my class and this is new to me since I've never been to close failing since high-school. I love Sociology and I've always said how easy it was because it is (know the theories, understand the logic, get the passing grade). My record right now in my university Sociology classes is B to A-. All my teachers know me and have no qualms against me and some even enjoy my company and viewpoint a lot.

So the problems of talking in class and such has been long gone and I never made a blog about this class again despite more irritating issues coming up, I have an appointment with my departement's advisor to see what my options are and right now, my argument is the following

Terrible syllabus (see spoiler, this came in an e-mail, no form of a piece of paper, nothing)

+ Show Spoiler +
This course invites you to explore the subject of emotions. How are emotions used to create, monitor and preserve social bonds? How do we construct emotions as part of impression management? I have put together a reading package for you that will help set the framework for the seminars. They will be used as a springboard for class discussions so please have the pertinent readings done before class. You will be asked to select one emotion for investigation this semester. Many of the readings are good examples of how such research can be done and I will hand out additional guidelines for your work.

A seminar course on emotions inevitably pushes a lot of buttons in everybody. It is important that you respect the privacy of your fellow classmates and don't talk about personal material outside class. As well, you are asked to listen to what is said in class and while you are free to respond, it is important to do so without judging or criticizing what is said.

The breakdown of the evaluation of your work is as follows:

Major research paper 30%
Seminar facilitation 10%
Film review 20%
Take home exam 30%
Participation 10%

Grade Conversion

A+ 90-100
A 85-89
A- 80-84
B+ 77-79
B 73-76
B- 70-72
C+ 67-69
C 63-66
C- 60-62
D+ 57-59
D 53-56
D- 50-52

Mind you, nothing is edited besides her contact info. being removed. This is the syllabus which I'm not sure is qualified or at least professional.
In the syllabus, a seminar facilitation is never explained and somewhere in there, 10% was latched on where we had to summarize a specific reading. I'm not sure where that is on the syllabus, but it was created during the last few weeks of class.
We received no proper formal writing for the major research paper. She basically explained it loosely [to which I asked for clarification several times] that we were to observe interactions and the exchange of emotions, reflect it back through our readings and theories from the book and present it in class.
My first paper that I wrote was completely off-the-wall and perhaps not orthodox. I wasn't quite sure what we were asked originally, so I wrote something I felt was new, different and really interesting. I wrote this two weeks before my presentation was due (so that's 5 weeks before when we have to hand it in) and didn't criticize it, correct it or give me any feedback. She asked if I had a mental illness, was worried about me and then basically implied that I should start again. She was hostile and it really made me uncomfortable around her [which is a new feeling to me in a very long time].
I rewrote the paper in 3 days, it was very generic and simplistic, but followed the basic verbal instructions: it had citations, it was referenced back to the book and its theories and she gave me the corrections (which were hardly legible, but I managed) after I presented it. So I had a corrected paper, but after my presentation [the presentation is to just showcase your topic and show how far you've completed it], she suggested a whole new topic to me which, to be honest, I didn't want to do because 1. I didn't have the time when it's the final few weeks, I've already written two papers and I have other exams and such [that's not her problem or prerogative, but if you add that to the fact that my current paper had no real problems with the topic, just that the new subject is more unique, then I don't see why there is an imperative need to chagne it]. Perhaps that was my biggest problem: my first off-the-wall paper was 12 pages and change and it was honestly, in retrospect, not up to snuff. My second paper was 4 pages, but was very concrete and a lot more clear and more generic. When she suggested a third subject to me during the presentation, I didn't want to do it (it wasn't feasible with the other stuff we had to do with the class as well [the 20% paper on a theory we had to choose and read]. Plus, it was just because everyone else wrote the same thing as [or vice-versa, so why weren't they asked the same thing as well?].
The first movie assignemnt we had to do equally has no documentation for the instructions, so when I did it, I did it as I thought she wanted it. It has no grade on it, but I have corrections on it and she didn't tell me I failed that paper until when I met her and she asked if I had a mental illness.
I have a syllabus for her other class and in her other class, I'm doing ok. Average at best and I think it's because I was lucky and she has an assistant teacher helping her out [so she didn't have to read my stuff personally.
Never received a single grade on any of my papers, presentations, etc. I still don't have it.

That's my arguments right now, the biggest issue I think she has against me is 1. I was very outspoken in her class, but I wasn't disruptive and I made a lot of friends in that class. 2. I WAS NOT PROACTIVE WITH THESE PROBLEMS and that's my responsibility. I was very busy though doing both BarCraft, professional teams, LANs and events, managing my university club and doing the other classes. It's my fault and I think this could have been prevented if I was more active in my progression within the class. I loved the class, I loved its atmosphere and I loved the readings (I just wish we talked more about the readings than anecdotes). I don't even hate the teacher, she just intimidates me because of how much she has over my future (this is my last sociology course, thankfully, even failling, I still have summer school and a whole 'nother year to fit in).

edit: please remember that this my account of things, it could be bias unintentionally

Last edit: 2012-05-02 04:33:13

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KhAmun United States. April 28 2012 06:10. Posts 999

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It sounds like you need to make a little bit more time for school, and less for starcraft, mr 33.28 posts per day

SaintBadger United States. April 28 2012 06:11. Posts 139

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I feel for you, and don't be bashful in suggesting that your outspokeness was a contributing factor. Happens all the time.

Denzil United Kingdom. April 28 2012 06:13. Posts 3509

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You shouldn't be intimidated by her, you should believe in your argument and do everything in your power to get shit done.

Anna: So Sen how will you prepare for your revenge v MC? Sen: With a smile.

Primadog United States. April 28 2012 06:15. Posts 4395

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Sorry to hear about this Torte.

Thank God and gunrun.

Gheed United States. April 28 2012 06:23. Posts 962

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TBH, I would have dropped the class as soon as I saw the terrible syllabus. You should talk to the head of her department or dean or whatever.

TheToast United States. April 28 2012 06:27. Posts 4804

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I failed a class once too. I had half a dozen complaints: my TA could barely speak english, half of lecture was filled with the professor's bullshit stories, the book was not easy to understand, etc. etc. But you know what? Had I actually put forward the effort I should've, I wouldn't have failed.

A bad professor can make a class more difficult, and I have had some bad professors. But I've never met a professor who made it impossible to success with enough effort. Torte, we all know how much time you spend on TL and doing SC2 related stuff. I've been there, I remember how easy it was to get distracted and not spend the time I should on my studies; both with extra curicular activities and with my own stuff. And honestly, I'm not sure I regret it. GPA doesn't mean shit. Just make sure you don't risk screwing up so badly you don't graduate; beyond that enjoy your time in college. You're going to spend the next 40+ years working 8 hours a day, every day of the week. Do the fun stuff while you can.

Last edit: 2012-04-28 06:28:25

I like the way the walls go out. Gives you an open feeling. Firefly's a good design. People don't appreciate the substance of things. Objects in space. People miss out on what's solid.

wo1fwood United States. April 28 2012 06:31. Posts 2249

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:/ Was this an undergraduate class Torte? Sometimes 400 level classes are Masters or Doctoral level classes and if that was the case the teachers (in my experience) usually expect you to be very proactive about getting your shit done. Though I should say that all of my professors (during my masters) were far more communicative about my grades, progress, and making themselves available for questions than yours. It kind of sounds like she didn't want to be bothered past a certain point which is troubling, and especially so because of how it sounds regarding getting your grades in a timely fashion (they shouldn't be holding that stuff).

But yea, what Gheed said. Talk to the Chair of the Dept. about it, they may be able to help with your situation.

Torte de Lini Canada. April 28 2012 06:41. Posts 27007

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On April 28 2012 06:10 KhAmun wrote:
It sounds like you need to make a little bit more time for school, and less for starcraft, mr 33.28 posts per day

Good one.

On April 28 2012 06:11 SaintBadger wrote:
I feel for you, and don't be bashful in suggesting that your outspokeness was a contributing factor. Happens all the time.

Yeah, for once I was really clear and smart in what I said. Just frustrating.

On April 28 2012 06:13 Denzil wrote:
You shouldn't be intimidated by her, you should believe in your argument and do everything in your power to get shit done.

She's a professional therapist, I don't understand why she would ask about my history and what's the relevance of that, can you fail people for being mentally handicapped?

On April 28 2012 06:15 Primadog wrote:
Sorry to hear about this Torte.

Thanks ):

On April 28 2012 06:23 Gheed wrote:
TBH, I would have dropped the class as soon as I saw the terrible syllabus. You should talk to the head of her department or dean or whatever.

I really was into the class discussions and the way we can talk and shit. The syllabus is bad and her 300-level course is hardly similar to it at all. I will talk to them Tuesday.

On April 28 2012 06:27 TheToast wrote:
I failed a class once too. I had half a dozen complaints: my TA could barely speak english, half of lecture was filled with the professor's bullshit stories, the book was not easy to understand, etc. etc. But you know what? Had I actually put forward the effort I should've, I wouldn't have failed.

A bad professor can make a class more difficult, and I have had some bad professors. But I've never met a professor who made it impossible to success with enough effort. Torte, we all know how much time you spend on TL and doing SC2 related stuff. I've been there, I remember how easy it was to get distracted and not spend the time I should on my studies; both with extra curicular activities and with my own stuff. And honestly, I'm not sure I regret it. GPA doesn't mean shit. Just make sure you don't risk screwing up so badly you don't graduate; beyond that enjoy your time in college. You're going to spend the next 40+ years working 8 hours a day, every day of the week. Do the fun stuff while you can.

See, that's not my issue at all. I put in the effort, my first paper is 11 pages. More does not mean more effort, but it says something at least. My second paper was new, different, but it was poorly drafted: I wrote it 2 weeks before presentation, 5 weeks before its actually due just so I can massively change it. She asked if I had a mental illness and so I rewrote a whole new topic in 4 days and she corrected it and told me the subject was okay a week before presentation and then on the presentation I got it back. I made modifications and I didn't want to rewrite a whole new topic/subject for the last few weeks of class because of other things we had to write for this class, etc. So I'm not sure where I had no effort, I was the most active in the class and the most comfortable talking about the theories.

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Roe Canada. April 28 2012 06:42. Posts 5133

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Jeeze, that really is a terrible syllabus. She seems like one of those kooky teachers that have to go on meds and then end up being a spacehead for the rest of their life. You should really appeal to the dean/department. I've never taken sociology but is this how the subject is regularly run? The field seems to be muddied with loose definitions and subjectivity. It seems more like an english class that talks about emotions and politics/society.

Torte de Lini Canada. April 28 2012 06:45. Posts 27007

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On April 28 2012 06:31 wo1fwood wrote:
:/ Was this an undergraduate class Torte? Sometimes 400 level classes are Masters or Doctoral level classes and if that was the case the teachers (in my experience) usually expect you to be very proactive about getting your shit done. Though I should say that all of my professors (during my masters) were far more communicative about my grades, progress, and making themselves available for questions than yours. It kind of sounds like she didn't want to be bothered past a certain point which is troubling, and especially so because of how it sounds regarding getting your grades in a timely fashion (they shouldn't be holding that stuff).

But yea, what Gheed said. Talk to the Chair of the Dept. about it, they may be able to help with your situation.

Yes, it is. and she did mention she was treating it like a graduate course, so that's something I should of been aware of. I suppose.

I never got a grade for anything. My first assignment has corrections: no grade.
My presentation never got a grade publicly shown, my final research paper nor the book review paper. I don't have a grade on anything, I don't know my progress or anything.

I wasn't proactive about it, I guess I was too comfortable knowing I was going to pass regardless (it's worked for all my other classes including the other class I have her in, social sciences isn't exactly tough shit. Attend the class, know the stuff, regurgitate in a paper, get the deserved grade). I've been doing sociology classes for 4 years (two in CEGEP where I did 10 courses [the limit is 9, and 7 is the standard] and two more in university). I know a lot of this shit inside and out.

Am I being too confident?

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Torte de Lini Canada. April 28 2012 06:46. Posts 27007

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On April 28 2012 06:42 Roe wrote:
Jeeze, that really is a terrible syllabus. She seems like one of those kooky teachers that have to go on meds and then end up being a spacehead for the rest of their life. You should really appeal to the dean/department. I've never taken sociology but is this how the subject is regularly run? The field seems to be muddied with loose definitions and subjectivity. It seems more like an english class that talks about emotions and politics/society.

She's a professional therapist. I'm going to appeal, but the good news is that I'm ahead of schooling, so I have another whole year to fit in the class and two more summers [I do 3 courses for summer school every year].

Sociology is very open, open course. The documentaries you usually see in high-school is usually sociology based:

+ Show Spoiler [Disney World] +
+ Show Spoiler [The Corporation] +

This is sociology.

If you want a traditional syllabus to compare, I can show you.

Last edit: 2012-04-28 06:50:51

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TheToast United States. April 28 2012 06:52. Posts 4804

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On April 28 2012 06:41 Torte de Lini wrote:

Show nested quote +

See, that's not my issue at all. I put in the effort, my first paper is 11 pages. More does not mean more effort, but it says something at least. My second paper was new, different, but it was poorly drafted: I wrote it 2 weeks before presentation, 5 weeks before its actually due just so I can massively change it. She asked if I had a mental illness and so I rewrote a whole new topic in 4 days and she corrected it and told me the subject was okay a week before presentation and then on the presentation I got it back. I made modifications and I didn't want to rewrite a whole new topic/subject for the last few weeks of class because of other things we had to write for this class, etc. So I'm not sure where I had no effort, I was the most active in the class and the most comfortable talking about the theories.

Really? I've written research papers in 8 hours the night before they were due and I've never been asked by a professor if I had a mental illness. And political science isn't that much different from the other social sciences (not including psyc in my definition of the social sciences, that's a real thing). I pretty much just wrote whatever bullshit for half my term papers and never got lower than a BC (basically a B-). If you didn't mess up the take home exam, the paper had to have been pretty low quality.

I'd be interested to see the paper you wrote, if it doesn't have anything personal in it you should post it and let us see for ourselves.

I like the way the walls go out. Gives you an open feeling. Firefly's a good design. People don't appreciate the substance of things. Objects in space. People miss out on what's solid.

munchmunch Canada. April 28 2012 06:52. Posts 721

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On April 28 2012 06:41 Torte de Lini wrote:
She's a professional therapist, I don't understand why she would ask about my history and what's the relevance of that, can you fail people for being mentally handicapped?

From your description, it sounds like she is not really qualified to teach at a college level (both in terms of teaching ability, and in terms of the intellectual depth of her course). There's a good chance that the dean will simply shake his/her head and bump you up to a C when you appeal.

Edit: you might want to see if there are any school-level guidelines about providing feedback to students. It's really unprofessional (and often against the rules) to fail a student without providing any feedback first.

Last edit: 2012-04-28 06:57:09

Nibbler89 April 28 2012 06:55. Posts 656

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On April 28 2012 06:52 TheToast wrote:

Show nested quote +

Really? I've written research papers in 8 hours the night before they were due and I've never been asked by a professor if I had a mental illness. And political science isn't that much different from the other social sciences (not including psyc in my definition of the social sciences, that's a real thing). I pretty much just wrote whatever bullshit for half my term papers and never got lower than a BC (basically a B-). If you didn't mess up the take home exam, the paper had to have been pretty low quality.

I'd be interested to see the paper you wrote, if it doesn't have anything personal in it you should post it and let us see for ourselves.

Last sentence made me feel like this blog was about being stuck in a league / losing in a game and not knowing why then someone saying "post a replay!". XD

Of course it's hard. It's supposed to be hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it. Hard is what makes it great.

hoot00 United States. April 28 2012 06:56. Posts 61

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Wait a minute, the only grade that you had seen was the final one? Is that like a normal thing, how would you know how well you are doing? Sounds terrible to me.

LEGENDS NEVER GG

Torte de Lini Canada. April 28 2012 06:59. Posts 27007

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On April 28 2012 06:52 TheToast wrote:

Show nested quote +

Really? I've written research papers in 8 hours the night before they were due and I've never been asked by a professor if I had a mental illness. And political science isn't that much different from the other social sciences (not including psyc in my definition of the social sciences, that's a real thing). I pretty much just wrote whatever bullshit for half my term papers and never got lower than a BC (basically a B-). If you didn't mess up the take home exam, the paper had to have been pretty low quality.

I'd be interested to see the paper you wrote, if it doesn't have anything personal in it you should post it and let us see for ourselves.

I've done that in CEGEP, in university: I write it weeks before because I enjoy the topic and I know my stuff. I've done a minor in political science, but didn't finish it; I hate it, but I got Cs in that (not very good, first semester/first year).

If you want to see all my papers, I'd be happy to privately share it with you. They're long however. Which paper would you like to see?

For note: I almost finished my psychology degree in CEGEP too, but made the switch last minute and got my sociology degree.

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Liquid`Zephyr United States. April 28 2012 07:01. Posts 737

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bummer. sucks to have a professor that gives you no feedback or absolutely no indication of how you are doing in the class. unfortunately, the perogative is on you to get her to do her job/annoy her as much as possible to find out. its just one of those unwritten college rules and since you are going about all this after failing i dont think you have too much of a shot of making anything happen. shitty but hope it works out for you

Torte de Lini Canada. April 28 2012 07:01. Posts 27007

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On April 28 2012 06:52 munchmunch wrote:

Show nested quote +

From your description, it sounds like she is not really qualified to teach at a college level (both in terms of teaching ability, and in terms of the intellectual depth of her course). There's a good chance that the dean will simply shake his/her head and bump you up to a C when you appeal.

Edit: you might want to see if there are any school-level guidelines about providing feedback to students. It's really unprofessional (and often against the rules) to fail a student without providing any feedback first.

Problem is, I don't have these stories in writing. I didn't exact have a recorder on hand for when she asked if I had a mental illness; but I have another story similar story where she asked the guy if he had a writing deficit, he didn't want to come forward publicly, but maybe I'll track him down and ask him to vouch for me that this has been done before.

I don't understand how she can be unqualified to teach if she's teaching so many other classes as well and has so for years.

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Torte de Lini Canada. April 28 2012 07:02. Posts 27007

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On April 28 2012 06:56 hoot00 wrote:
Wait a minute, the only grade that you had seen was the final one? Is that like a normal thing, how would you know how well you are doing? Sounds terrible to me.

I have no letters, gradings online or anywhere. I have all my papers given back with no grades on them (well... I have one paper with no grade on them, I never got the others back either). She told me once that I failed my other paper [the one I have back with no grade on it] and she was worried about me + mental illness dialogue.

That's pretty much it.

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