Okay, I'll admit it. I've cut a few corners while studying. Rather than reading Shakespeare's Hamlet, I viewed the Mel Gibson's version. I mean, come on, he's much more appealing to look at than a hundred pages of Elizabethan English bound together.
Therefore, I am not opposed to watching videos to enhance my knowledge about a subject. However, I am greatly offended and disappointed that my entire World Civilization class is being taught through films and History Channel documentaries.
My disillusionment set in right away. As I sat down in Knox 104 awaiting the commencement of my section's first class, I saw one of the teaching assistants remove a cassette from its casing.
I thought to myself, "This is weird, the first lecture is going to be taught via-video." I never expected it to become a common occurrence, let alone become the primary teaching tool used in the class.
Then, after taking a close look at the syllabus, I realized that a video was to air during every class session. The syllabus lists the title and viewing time for each video. For example on Nov. 11, the film, "The Battle for the Bible," is to play for 60 minutes (of a 50 minute class).
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy learning about interesting historical happenings like the mystery of King Tut's tomb or the Ancient Olympic Games. I even tune into The History Channel every now and then. I did not, however, come to UB to learn about Indian culture through watching Monsoon Wedding or about Rome through documentaries about gladiators. I came here to be taught by experts. If I had wanted to see Monsoon Wedding (good flick), I would have rented it.
Honestly, wouldn't you rather be bored to death by a professor's lectures rather than a video's ramblings? Think about it, at least the professor is in 3-D.
The professor of World Civ Section T is John C. Mohawk. He is often absent during class, and even when he graces us with his presence he is generally just part of the audience, as in he sits there and watches the video with us.
I can count on one hand the amount of times he has spoken to the class. Also, it becomes apparent after perusing his Web site that his expertise and interests lie with issues facing Native Americans. I am unsure as to whether or not he is even qualified to teach a course on the world's civilizations.
My suspicion is that UB administrators pulled in the professor to teach the class at the last minute, since on his Web site, the course is not listed under the heading "Classes Taught." It is also obvious that the professor is in the twilight of his academic career and has little interest in teaching the freshman-filled class.
And what topped off my disappointment was that the teaching staff of World Civilizations Section T offered to give the class a question that will appear in the midterm or final exam during every lecture session, as an incentive to attend.
Are they actually bribing students to come to class? I was shocked.
Our university should be embarrassed that it perpetuates a farce that robs its students intellectually and financially. Though I chose to attend a large state school and may have willfully subjected myself to being taught in large lecture rooms by teaching assistants, I did come here to learn.
I feel cheated of my time and my money. An average freshman takes 15 credit hours at UB and pays $4,350 for tuition. That comes out to $290 per credit. So, three-credit classes cost you $870 a pop - not to mention including the increasing price tags that textbooks carry.
My point is this - a professor is supposed to make a course's material interesting. Anyone can read a textbook and come up with their own opinions on a particular subject matter, but the teacher is the one who is responsible for striking a cord with the students, making them crave more knowledge and actually enjoy attending class every day.
My friends who are in other World Civilization sections brag about how interesting their respective professors are and how they like looking in the texts to find precise points that their teachers outline during lecture.
It discourages me when I can't say the same about my own professors. Although I'm sure that professor Mohawk is a knowledgeable man with great experience and a love for teaching, I, regrettably, am unable to applaud his abilities as a teacher.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
