Welcome to Gaia! ::

A thread to ask for and to give out advice. 3nodding

Here's my dilemma--

(forgive how long this is)

I'm enrolled in a Diagnosis and Appraisal class this fall. The class is mandatory for my masters, and will contain info that will both be on my LPC exams and imperative to my work as a counselor/therapist.

The kicker is the professor has never taught before. Normally, no big. The first week she assigned 500 pages, a 2 hour movie, and three papers to do--for one week. Considering most of us (my classmates and I) have jobs, other classes, and family obligations this is a little much. I gave up somewhere around 280 pages into the reading because the chapters didn't have any flow or theme. One of the books was from the 80s and one of the chapters talked about "homosexuality" like it was a disease. I realize the psychological community did use to think that-- but it's not really good to read this day and age.

So I brought it up in class last week, and also mentioned my concern about the reading. The professor told me I needed to manage time better and just figure out what I needed to read and didn't need to read. Then we (my classmates and I) found out our "recommended" text weren't any different than the required-- there are 15 books, at least two of them well over 80 dollars US used, and One of the books is OUT OF PRINT.

She hides behind the podium and speaks in a timid voice, she doesn't know how to upload powerpoint onto the classroom computer (i.e. open the file from a floppy disk). When she gave back our papers there were marks on the technical aspects, which is helpful for fine tuning our APA format-- but there weren't any comments on the content of the paper. So I don't know if I'm understanding this subject or not.

She insulted one of my friends and blamed her inability to keep up with the reading on her being a single working mother (the girl gets straight A's, time management isn't a weakness for her).

So I started an email group with my classmates to try to team up and each of us read a few chapters- to find out which chapters are helpful and what the topics covered in each chapter is. I also am curious about copy right laws because I want to see if we can do some scanning and copying to save money so everyone doesn't have to buy all 15 books (because it is estimated somewhere in the range of 800$ for these books in total).

I tried to take my concerns to my adviser only to discover they are friends. My adviser keeps telling me I need to take my concerns to the professor in question- but I already tried that. The issue is I need this class for my profession. I'm not worried about my grade- I'm worried that while I could get an A in the class I might not have learned the information vital to my career.

My professor seems to have washed her hands of teaching this class. I realize she's new, but we're not learning anything and we're falling behind. Classes are expensive, and this is a graduate level where skilled teachers are expected.

Do I make a formal complaint to the head of the department?

I mean this could cost this woman her job. If I don't complain one of my peers has serious weight with a big wig and is about ready to pull some strings himself. This woman is getting paid and is shying away from the duties of her job.

I would definitely think about making a formal complaint about her -that is out of control!! I'd also see if your classmates can do the same thing, just so that the head knows that it isn't just you. I'm sure they would give her a warning before just letting her go, wouldn't they? It sounds like she needs a big wake up call like this!!

I would at least make comment to the head of the department. ASAP. As for copying the text if you are not distributing them outside of those in your class you should be fine.

What I advice is this: e-mail your professor with your concerns. The forward this to your advisor with comments. If nothing then happens you have documented proof that you braoched the topic to those in power. Then foward this to the head of the department.

I learned this after I was kicked out of school and had to pretty much start over.

Thanks for all the feedback.

In response-

To Nessa- I see your point, but I maybe a complaint earlier on will result in perhaps some guidance from other professors who can give her some pointers.

I was hoping that addressing concerns in class the other week would provide a head's up. I try not the type to sit seething all semester then sideswipe a professor with a horrible review. I find that sitting around sulking doesn't help one's learning-- and if the professor doesn't know what they're doing wrong they don't have a chance to amend it.

The skimming idea does sound good.

Chibi-

That's a great idea. I hate to be one to sneak for loopholes in copy right laws--but books are far too expensive to be accessible to everyone. Learning is my crime.

Noirkaze-

You have a really good point. I'm sorry to hear that you were kicked out of school. I'm curious what happened to you, but I won't pry. Unfortunately I've encountered unethical professors and deans when I was in undergrad so I understand the dark side of education.

Bakura-

Now that you mention it (and everyone else) I'm sure that the head of the department will do something fair for everyone. I haven't met personally with the man before, but any professional wouldn't just fire someone out of the blue. It would take some investigation and fair warning.

I just want more direction and guidance than I'm receiving right now. I don't mind some self initiated learning- but I like to know a good starting point. Most professors I've encountered are good about informing students what they should read. Just because a book says it's about a particular subject doesn't always mean it is a useful book.