The end of the saga, I hope.
The school sent out feedback forms to online students today.
The instructor. I'll be talking to the Dean about my experience in this class as soon as I can. I felt marginalized, like some exotic specimen to poke at. The instructor showed severe privilege in his remarks and how he dealt with my concerns. When I expressed discomfort about the class, he presumed to tell me I have no reason to feel so. I think I know when I'm uncomfortable in a classroom environment, thank you. I missed assignments purely because I didn't know what the teacher wanted from me and what he would react badly to.
At one point, I was participating in the weekly discussion and at his own volition, he sent me an email to thank me for my participation. Two days later, he sent me another, accusing me of baiting students and trying to tear down their beliefs. He also brought up a clause in the class structure that would allow him to drop me from the course if I missed more than two assignments. This clause only came up when I was doing something he apparently disapproved of. As soon as I stopped, it was never mentioned again. I feel I was threatened by him to get me to shut up.
He ignored my concerns and made me feel unwelcome in class. I did not like the fact my grade as at the mercy of such a person. I don't think he needs to be fired or anything but I do believe he needs to be made aware of the impact of his conduct. And maybe someone should explain to him the concept of privilege and why a teacher should not make their favoritism and their personal views so utterly transparent in a class about religion. And frankly, when you outline nearly *every single assignment* by asking the student to relate their answer back to their beliefs, you don't get to later tell them to shut up and threaten them.
Originally posted at DW. Comment here or there. DW comments:
The instructor. I'll be talking to the Dean about my experience in this class as soon as I can. I felt marginalized, like some exotic specimen to poke at. The instructor showed severe privilege in his remarks and how he dealt with my concerns. When I expressed discomfort about the class, he presumed to tell me I have no reason to feel so. I think I know when I'm uncomfortable in a classroom environment, thank you. I missed assignments purely because I didn't know what the teacher wanted from me and what he would react badly to.
At one point, I was participating in the weekly discussion and at his own volition, he sent me an email to thank me for my participation. Two days later, he sent me another, accusing me of baiting students and trying to tear down their beliefs. He also brought up a clause in the class structure that would allow him to drop me from the course if I missed more than two assignments. This clause only came up when I was doing something he apparently disapproved of. As soon as I stopped, it was never mentioned again. I feel I was threatened by him to get me to shut up.
He ignored my concerns and made me feel unwelcome in class. I did not like the fact my grade as at the mercy of such a person. I don't think he needs to be fired or anything but I do believe he needs to be made aware of the impact of his conduct. And maybe someone should explain to him the concept of privilege and why a teacher should not make their favoritism and their personal views so utterly transparent in a class about religion. And frankly, when you outline nearly *every single assignment* by asking the student to relate their answer back to their beliefs, you don't get to later tell them to shut up and threaten them.
Originally posted at DW. Comment here or there. DW comments: