We have a problem – here is the solution

Apparently we have a problem (actually a few of them).

My teaching style is relaxed. I don’t mind friendly joking back and forth. I don’t even mind being the butt of jokes (in fact, I enjoy it) My classes to date have all been relatively relaxed, friendly, collegial, yet professional and enjoyable.

This class is not. In previous semesters, it was possible for me to do things a little bit outside the box, but still have a productive and enjoyable class. About half of this class seems to be missing the point.

It appears that my lack of being a hard ass has translated into a belief by a substantial percentage of the class that my class is to be treated as a remedial reading class in an F school district. When so few of you are prepared, and when I need to tell a classroom of law students to shut up so that they are not speaking over their peers (who prepared for class), it irks me. It irks me a lot.

I posted a warning on August 26 that lack of preparation would be grounds for you being marked absent for the day. Link. That warning has now ripened into a policy.

Here is the “new regime” part one.

1. I will no longer ask for volunteers. I will call upon you at random. If you are not prepared for class and you are called upon, you will be marked as absent for the day. Being prepared means being prepared to discuss any and all cases assigned for that day or any that came before. If we happen to be a day behind, you’ll still need to be prepared with the reading for that day as noted on the syllabus. If you are not prepared for class, but want to sit there and listen, sit in the back row and remain silent. Anyone in the back row will receive a zero for class participation for the day, but will not be called on. Sorry to all of you who have staked out the back row already – you will need to move forward, if appropriate.
2. Anyone gabbing while another student is speaking will be asked to leave. I will not physically throw you out, but failure to leave when requested will result in a ZERO for class participation for the entire semester. No exceptions. No warnings. Second infraction = honor code referral. I’m a little weary of disrespect being shown to me in class — but I am furious at the lack of respect being shown to one another.
3. Off-class web surfing cuts into the quality of the class, and that policy has not been relaxed. Accessing the web during class (unless it is a site that I have directed you to) is prohibited. See Class Policies at 13. More than one of you have already earned a ZERO for class participation for the semester for violating this policy. I have no qualms about adding to that list. Since I must grade on a curve, I’d rather give the “C or lower” grades to those of you who can’t follow simple directions.

If I need to be more of a prick, trust me, I have the capacity to do so. My “prick o meter” goes from 1 to 10. This is me at a “3″.

Stay tuned for “part two” (if it becomes necessary).

Modification/Relaxation (Posted Nov. 3, 2007) – The back row will not receive a zero automatically for the day.