gap

my contemporary world lit folks really tried to convince me that they are supposed to be reading one hour outside of class for every class hour.

what?  

they've been really angry about the amount of reading we're doing. how can I expect them to read a book every week?  (no, there are about 8 books, that would be one every two weeks, but I suspect math is also a problem).

they were shocked when I said, yup, I think two 6 hour blocks of time each week should cover the course material. more if you are a slow reader.

they said the counselors told them that a 3 credit course should be 3 hours of work outside. that in their other courses they only have to read a 30 page chapter each week. (depending on the discipline, 30 pages could be 9-12 hours, but not in this class).  I told them they aren't getting a very good deal in classes that don't ask much of them. they said they have 4-5-6 other classes and they're working.

we went on with the poetry for the day. they said if they wanted poetry they would have signed up for a poetry class. this is supposed to be literature.

I said let's open the book.

(design at apoplecticpress)

Comments

[dance]

I think you have grounds for some official communication with the counselors to get backup. No way is the standard "hours outside of class/credit hours" ratio 1:1.

quick google comes back 2-3 hours for each hour in class.

[ppb]

I heard 2 hours per credit hour for 100 level classes and 3 hours per for 200 level up. Not like anyone follows that but 1:1 is ridiculous.

[philosopherP]

These are the same counselors who actually do tell students to take me and not my pal for logic (which was verified and stopped... by the dean) and who supposedly tell students that logic is easier than math -- which students find out is a lie...

I have a statement about expectations for homework in my syllabus -- so when the complaints happen, I tell them to look at the paper they got during open drop/add and read it this time -- because that's what they've committed themselves to, and I'm not changing...

[timna]

philosopherP -- you're so right -- why didn't I immediately send them to the syllabus where it says on the front page:
"Plan to spend two to four hours reading and writing outside of class for every hour spent in class."

should have been my first reaction.

[joanna]

Well, sometimes these things come from out of left field, don't they? Regarding the poetry definition: nothing annoys me more (and amuses me later on) than a student who assures me that they know the truth and I'm just some foggy old lady.