Professorial transgressions 1: Art, dogs, and books
This is the first of a potentially ongoing series of entries on professors who abuse their position vis-a-vis students. Of course, I hope the series doesn't continue! But, despite the pressures on professors that indirectly demand that they reduce their commitment to actually educating their students, we do have responsibilities and some disregard them more than others. Perhaps these entries will provide a little pressure to respect students more. Of course, an important caveat is due: Most everything here will come secondhand from students, so I can't verify the actual truth of any of them. I will not convey stories from those I have no reason to trust, but if a student seems intelligent and honest and concerned about the quality of their education, I will convey their concerns. So, without further ado...
Yesterday a student told me about a terrifically self-serving course structure. If you are a prof and are seeking to maximize your revenue, pay close attention! Reportedly, KU has a professor of art and culture who teaches two sections of a required class for a total of roughly 300 students per semester. There are three required books that cost a total of 36,000 won (~$30). The professor of the class is also the author of the books. During class, the professor purportedly talks only about his/her family, dog, and views on contemporary politics, i.e., not the assigned readings. Perhaps to make up for the lack of content conveyed via the lectures, the final exam is open book. Supposedly most of the questions are effectively trivia that require flipping through the book to find. The student complained that he/she had learned nothing in the class and that there was no intellectual challenge or growth whatsoever. So, in summary, the prof sells 300 copies of his/her own book each semester at a cost of 36,000 won per book, which implies royalties of 1,080,000 won ($950) per semester (assuming 10% royalties). The students have to buy the book to take the test. And the professor just talks about whatever he/she wants. Nice gig if you can get it.
