"TheJWT" (thejwt)
11/11/2013 at 12:28 • Filed to: Rants
0
17|
"TheJWT" (thejwt)
11/11/2013 at 12:28 • Filed to: Rants | 0
| 17 |
And for your troubles, this wallpaper sized 512BB LM
So this morning I received an email from one of my professors, basically saying that I was doing terribly in his class (not true) and that my work had degraded since my midterm (very not true), simply because I have never met with the Teacher's assistant.
In response to this, I sent him this email:
(Professor's name)-
It is interesting to me that you believe my work
has degraded since the midterm. I would like to know in what way you
can justify this. I have put 10+ hours into each of the past two
assignments (much more than some of my classmates who you don't seem to
have any problems with), and if you think that this shows degradation,
then that's your own problem. Ever since the first hand drawing
assignment (which I admit, I could've done much better on) it seems like
you have treated me as lazy, ignorant, and frankly a hindrance towards
the class as a whole. I have put vastly more effort and devoted a much
larger amount of time into each of the assignments after that, but I
feel you ignore this simply because I haven't met with (The TA). I will
meet with (The TA) this week, but I want you to be
aware that I find your email extremely insulting, even to the point of
being hurtful.
-Jake
To which he replies saying that my email "extremely disrespectful, untruthful and
insulting", and that "I was simply pushing you to improve your
work. I am disappointed to hear you can't take criticism. Each student
that I emailed responded acknowledging the flaws and welcoming the
critique. The conversations we have had in class have been mutually
respectful, individual and private".
So friends, I'm at a loss about what to do. Do I take the high road and not respond, should I defend my work, should I tell him to fuck off, or do something else entirely?
Thanks for reading!
lepie
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 12:30 |
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Don't respond.
Or sock him.
Best is just to not respond.
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TheJWT
> lepie
11/11/2013 at 12:31 |
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The latter is very tempting, but not responding is probably the best choice.
Tom McParland
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 12:34 |
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Don't respond, especially if he is tenured. If he is not tenured...that is another story. Profs sometimes get on ego trips and get preconceived notions of what certain students are all about. Play his game, get your grade and move on.
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Tom McParland
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 12:35 |
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Oh and keep copies of everything...if you have to dispute the grade with the department dean you will need evidence.
WolfmanJimCBW
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 12:36 |
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Without seeing his original e-mail, I would have to say that if his seemed more hurtful than constructive criticism you should let him know that. I don't really know why professors think they are always right about everything. I have to deal with one of those right now and all I want to do is tell him he has a PhD in History so it isn't like he is changing the world.
daender
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 12:36 |
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Ignore him, beat the class, and...
...key his car (optional but nearly justified).
maximillious
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 12:37 |
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Get the grade and move along. It sucks but this doesnt stop after school sometimes you just gotta take it for what it is. Besides you can always act like you agree and everything is good and then walk around the corner roll your eyes and make a jerking motion with your hand.
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TheJWT
> daender
11/11/2013 at 12:38 |
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Hmm...
Not a bad idea
Milky
> Tom McParland
11/11/2013 at 12:40 |
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This. He is still the one that is going to be giving you a grade in a few weeks, just keep that in mind.
ZaqAtaq
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 12:42 |
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Having 6 years experience in corporate America (my childhood dreams come true) and spending a vast amount of that time emailing people... your email started out well but took a turn at this line:
then that's your own problem.
No one ever wants to be told it's their problem. I refer to statements like that as "Finger pointing statements" and I try to leave them out of emails. I make my case and let people draw their on conclusions. That said, don't reply. Be done with it.
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TheJWT
> ZaqAtaq
11/11/2013 at 12:52 |
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In retrospect that wasn't the best thing to say, but I was pretty pissed off in writing that email.
But you're right, not responding is probably the best course of action, no matter how much I want to tell him to kindly go fuck himself.
Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated!
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 12:54 |
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I am disappointed to hear you can't take criticism. Each student
that I emailed responded acknowledging the flaws and welcoming the
critique.
Watch this. It is a time-honored practice in academia to raise the "but you're the only one with a problem" flag, even when demonstrably untrue. It may actually be correct, but only insofar as no other student has dared to provide him with more than a "er, ok" or submissive versions of "I'll take that under advisement".
The purpose of telling you this is to put you on the defensive by isolating you. He is further attempting to isolate you and put you on the defensive by identifying this as "your" problem with being unable to take criticism, and accusing you directly of lies (which, as your email is based on your perceptions and questioning *statements he has made*, cannot in and of itself be true).
In short, he is being a cock and abusing his authority. He is also attempting to go on record as "reasonable" in a transparently ass-covering manner. If you reach out to other people in the class, it is likely you will find others unduly criticized, but if you name them directly, he is likely to go Intercontinental Ballistic Vindictive.
You honestly can't confront him in any way directly. At this point he's just going to let you simmer and assume you've bent to his will, but from this point out, he is likely to nigh-formally dislike you. Keep. Records. If your next assignment takes an arbitrary nose dive, it should *all* go to the Dean. This includes inquiries, if any, to other students regarding undue criticism, though it should be noted that if he *has* singled you out, that it's possible he hasn't done so to others. Nonetheless, if you have criticisms to others on record (either over the top and damning, or low-key in comparison with yours), you will be able to establish one of two patterns of behavior:
1. Distributed off-color abuse
2. Targeting of you
If neither, your case is far less strong.
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ZaqAtaq
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 12:56 |
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I've written some emails early on in my job that I look back at and think "yeeaaah, I shouldn't have said that" but nothing came of it. Learn and move on (which it sounds like you are).
nippon
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 13:02 |
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Don't respond.
I've learned that there are two types of professors. Normal one's and ego-maniac i-will-make-sure-you-fail-at-my-class-no-matter-what.
And fighting those is the same as pissing into the wind. It just gets worse if you try to do anything about it.
Assholes.
Team6.1
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 13:11 |
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It doesn't matter who is right or wrong because at the end of the day he has the power. I'd say keep your head down and kiss ass to pass. This skill will translate well to corporate america, run ins with the police, etc.
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TheJWT
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
11/11/2013 at 13:31 |
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Exactly this. He'll do pretty much anything he can to make himself seem like the good guy whenever anyone calls him out on his shit.
XJDano
> TheJWT
11/11/2013 at 16:52 |
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This may take some skill, stealth, and accuracy.
Shit in a paper bag, maybe write his name on it first, then slip in in the teachers lounge fridge.
I barely completed 2 semesters at community college, so this is the best advice I can give.