Every semester I schedule 2-3 upper level classes with maxes of 35 in a room
that seats 99. This allows me someplace to override the hordes of late
admits, transfers, etc. It also allows the heterogeneity in class size that
I believe is crucial. For example, I'm a traditional; "Herr, Doctor
Professor/I know it and you don't so shut up and listen" kind of fellow.
Also, I teach physiological psych which isn't the course most conducive to
small group discussion, etc. and besides, I don't have the personality for
that sort of thing. I'm essentially a performer and I like larger classes.
So I am perfectly happy to play the nice guy and let my class sizes rise to
40 or even 50. An added benefit is that it allows those folks who are
better in the smaller class situation and/or who require more papers than I
do to have their smaller classes.
I do try to be careful to check potential adds to see that they really need
the course and aren't merely trying switch to a class that lets them get up
later in the day. I will also sometimes admit a student (especially a new
student) who wants to switch out of the class of a prof with a very bad
reputation. A small act of charity from me can make the difference between
a student enjoying his/her first semester at the University or possibly
dropping out.
Bottom line: I say that if it doesn't adversely affect the quality of your
class, be a nice professor and let the poor devils in.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edward I. Pollak, Ph.D. Office (610)436-2945
Professor and Chairperson Home (610)363-1939
Department of Psychology FAX (610)436-2846
West Chester University [EMAIL PROTECTED]
West Chester, PA 19383 www.wcupa.edu
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Husband, father, biopsychologist and bluegrass fiddler...........
not necessarily in order of importance. AAFOUF#0064
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
