TEACHSOC: Keith on lateness policy?

[Marty Schwartz]

Keith -- Not a bad idea at all, but perhaps the policy should be something direct and specific that they can actually (theoretically) do, such as being in charge of summarizing for the class the last set of homework readings, to start off class discussion.  

My only problem is that yesterday was the first day of class for me, and in both of my classes the last person to arrive was ME.  In one case, they rebuilt the building while I was on leave and I never even knew that room existed (and I now wish it didn't).  At least I did get to reproduce one of my favorite stories.  Don Newman was on leave in the 1950s from a major Big Ten institution for some time, and since they didn't teach criminal justice he was attached to social work when he returned.  His first day back, he was assigned to teach social work ethics.  He was very upset, as only he could be.  He went out to search for his classroom, which turned out to be on the Agriculture Quad, in the Animal Husbandry Building.  There was a bay window with a stuffed cow in it.  He went to his classroom in the basement, and found a lab with sinks, bunsen burners, etc.  Screamingly upset, he just told the class he was teaching Animal Husbandry 433.  They yelled back, no, this is Social Work 211.  What the heck is Social Work 211, he asked.  Social Work Ethics, they replied.  He stared at them a bit, and finally just exclaimed, what the heck, any jerk can teach social work ethics.  At that, he grabbed a piece of chalk, turned around and started to write a course outline on the board.  Since I have been off campus for four years (sick leave, sabbatical, two year research fellowship at the Dept of Justice) I thought I would try the same thing out, especially since I was assigned to teach 100 students in Deviant Behavior in the Math building.  Maybe I can do something later about myself in a lecture on "teacher as deviant."

Marty  

--On Wednesday, January 04, 2006 12:21 PM -0500 "Roberts, Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

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> I'm teaching Intro this term at 8 and 9am and am considering a revision in my "lateness policy."  Last term it seemed like a handful of kids repeatedly came in late which, obviously, disrupts class.  (Students have 15 minutes between classes.)  Most are apologetic when they are late and I'm better with that, but a few were casual, constant offenders.  
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> I shut the door when class starts to keep out hallway noise, so students have to knock to come it.  
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> I wonder what your policy is regarding being late.  I'd prefer something
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> positive (or light hearted) ....
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> How about telling them that you consider walking in late to be the same thing as having a hand up--that you will assume they are volunteering an answer or that they have a question.  You will simply call on them immediately after entering ....or the first time you get a chance.  Thus, entering the room late is symbolically a form of volunteering to participate.  It might be humorous...and embarrassing enough to deter such lateness.
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> Keith





Martin D. Schwartz
Professor of Sociology
Ohio University

119 Bentley Annex
740.593.1366 (voice)
740.593.1365 (fax)