Darwin's Finch

Just out of curiosity, Bree, what other books has this professor assigned? Oprah and Beamer excepted, are there any books dealing with heavyweight leaders in this class, or is it all fluff?

Also, do you get the impression that she is a Christian who was offended by your dismissal of Lisa Beamer, or do you think it is the case that she is simply put off at you for questioning her judgement in assigning such a book?

I ask because I really can't think of any other explanation for the low marks (to say nothing of the "soapbox" remark). A "D" for nothing other than using English English rather than American English is unreasonable, IMO.

pz

You've got a problem. The professor is well within her rights to assign whatever texts she thinks are appropriate, and you don't have the privilege to argue with her choices. For instance, if I were to assign a book on evolution in one of my biology courses, how far do you think a student could get if they argued that evolution sucked, and they didn't want to read it?

The professor also has the right to evaluate student work any way she pleases. She has made it clear that you have to use American spellings, and you just have to go along with it.

So, sorry, the only thing you can do if the course is intolerable is to drop it.

That said, though, there are a few things you can do to help others in the same situation. This honestly sounds like a crappy course with extremely poor choices of reading -- Beamer and Oprah are not particularly well-regarded literature. Presuming the writing was otherwise good, downgrading an assignment to that degree for a few unconventional spellings is punitive and not justifiable. Write a letter documenting the juvenile content of the course, and include copies of your papers showing the excessively picky grading. Send it to the head of the department and the dean of the college. If you want to get really nasty, write a letter to the school paper -- a professor who is so unpopular that no one will take her courses is in big trouble with her peers, because they will get stuck picking up her students.

Godless Dave

I don't think you deserved Ds, and it sounds like she's out to get you.

As far as "learn�d" not being in the regular vernacular - you're in college, an institution of higher learning. You're not supposed to use the vernacular. "Dissociate" and "paradigm" aren't exactly a everyday words but I read them and even wrote them many times in college.

Bree, how good is the college you go to? If it's good I don't think a prof would get away with assigning books like that for long (although pz's right - the administration will probably side with her in your specific case because she's a professor and you're a student). If it's not that good a school - transfer somewhere else. I've read you on here long enough to know you're smart. Get the best education you can.

But as a member of the style and grammar police I am compelled to point out that the spellings you used are incorrect. If you are using Word make sure the spellchecker is using American English, not UK English. If I were your prof I would mark you down for them, especially in a writing class. But not down to a D.

Rusting Car Bumper

Print off uncorrected versions of the papers.

Take them to an English professor and have the professor grade them on that content. Do not prep the professor on the actual problem.

If they come back OK, then use these as proof they are well within standards.

Then go to whatever person "department head" or otherwise to discuss it using the other professors opinion as evidence.

DC

Clutch

Bree, am I understanding that your prof is requiring that you write at a post-secondary level, but marking you down for not using language familiar to any layperson?

Your prof can require whatever fucked-up standards she likes, but if she then goes on to punish you for following those requirements, you're in a position to appeal. Though a lot depends on the appeal mechanism at your particular school.

And get the fuck out of the course while you can -- if you can.

Writer@Large

Bree, as this is the same prof as the one you had the confrontation about Let's Roll with, you may have grounds for a grade grievance. Do you know anyone else in the class? Are they getting marked down so heavily for such stupid things? More importantly, are any of these graded essays on the replacement readings for Let's Roll? If you think in any way that this is reciprocation for challenging her reading choices, take her to task for it--grieve the grade.

Otherwise, I agree with pz--get out now, and take it again with another prof.

--W@L

Doubting Didymus

Waiiit a minute, what's a 'D' in this context?

SanDiegoAtheist

American schools grade on an A-F scale, with an "A" being excellent, a "C" being average, and an "F" failing (btw, there is no "E" grade). A "D" is essentially an admonition to the student that you BARELY squeaked by. The majority of colleges out there will require an average above a "D" to remain in school.

The San Diego Atheist

Amen-Moses

How on earth can you be marked down for correct spelling?

What a weird and wonderful universe you live in!

Amen-Moses

never been there

Spell-check? You must be kidding! I turn all such nonsense off during installation.

Being in the mushy middle of Canada on the spellings, we only ask for consistency. There are a few words where even people who add the "u" to colour find the British spellings a bit much.

If a prof wants you to use US spellings exclusively because you are being taught to write jounalism, then that should have been stated in the course outline. Similarly, there is a use to learning to write grade 6 English (I wish some people at work would drop the heptapedelianisms). Otherwise, it's no-one's business what style of English you use.

I think your prof is afraid you're smarter than her and is trying to slap you down.