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This is going to be a bit of a rant and I apologize for that. This semester I’m taking International Studies 235 to fulfill some graduation requirements and boy am I regretting it. I’m sure you’re thinking “Oh? But TJ, it’s only a two hundred level class, it should be easy!” You’d be right, it is easy. Very easy.

One example of how easy it is. The class has seven (yes seven) books assigned to it. Load of crap, each costs around $15 or more (used) resulting in about a $120 book bill. With that much fluff I decided to not buy the books before the first day of class and see if some were really optional and avoid some ding to my wallet. Turns out they’re all required but further examination reveals that they’re all also at the library, some at the Ames Public as well (yep that’s how “academic” this is, you can get the books at the public library). So I’ve yet to buy a book and I’ve managed to do all the needed reading with ease without checking a book out. There’s so little information in them that I’ve never had to leave Parks with a copy in my hand.

Next example. The professor loves the idea of using multimedia to enhance the learning experience. At least that’s the way I’m sure he’d put it. Most people I know have heard me rant about this before. By multimedia I mean YouTube, and by enhance I mean supplant. We watch so many youtube videos (relevant videos but still videos) that I call this my YouTube class. We generally spend between 15 and 30 minutes each class (90 minute classes, twice a week) to watch Youtube. It’s ridiculous. One day the professor’s laptop wasn’t working and he actually lectured. AND IT WAS GOOD! The guy is a good lecturer! He can teach! I was so happy with the class I sent him an email and told him that I thought that lecture was really good that day and that maybe he should consider cutting back on the videos because they seem to detract from his abilities to teach.

I never received a reply and he went right back to playing Youtube the next time the class met.

Today was going to be my day to work on my “Indy Research Assignment” (yep he said “Indy” instead of “Independent”) which is really just a 4-5 page research paper (double spaced). I downloaded the assignment from the class website and read it over for the first time It’s due thursday so I have plenty of time but wanted to get started. Then I got to the bottom of the second paragraph: “First, you need to pitch me the project. Please send me an e-mail with your topic and a brief description of how you plan to approach it. … The sooner I receive your proposal, the sooner you may begin.” WHAT A LOAD OF SHIT! I’m livid. I realize that this is a sophomore level class but that kind of crap I wouldn’t expect of a class past the sophomore year of high school!

We’re college students not kindergartners, you don’t need to hold our hands on picking research topics or for crossing the street. I sat down today planning on being productive and getting this assignment done. Instead I sit here twiddling my thumbs because I have to wait for this moron of a professor to send me the second half of the assignment because he doesn’t think I’m capable of picking a simple research topic. Wasting your time (class time) with me by showing me Youtube was bad enough now you’re wasting my time Dr. Carter.