The problem with grade deflation

[jethrien]

So this whole grade deflation crusade Princeton's on seems to me like a way to ensure that people don't take risks in choosing classes. After all, why take a class in a subject you know nothing of when you're likely to end up with a C?

Why is this being mused on now? Because I'm trying to write a paper on a subject I know nothing about. A few months ago, I said to myself, "Hey, self. You've never taken a classics class before. Or anything in medieval studies. Here's a cross listed medieval studies/classics class on sex and gender in the ancient world. Let's take it!" And now I'm trying to compare Ragegund's The Fall of Thuringia to the Aeneid or Old English elegies like the Wanderer. The problem? I've read neither the Aeneid nor the Wanderer.

And it's a four person class. Which has both its good and very, very bad points.

Sigh.

Comments

[ivy03.livejournal.com]

This is what the PDF option is for. Which I made very, very effective use of my senior year.

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

It's a no-audit, no-pdf class.

[ivy03.livejournal.com]

You see, that's you're first mistake. Big warning sign right there. Of course I sat in on a class my senior spring that was no audit. I wasn't officially any part of the class, I just went to lecture.

[superjan42.livejournal.com]

considering the size of your class, i would think that the prof would be more eager to let you pdf than to have you drop the class (which you're not going to do, i assume) but still, if you're really worried, i might talk to the prof about it. the point of no-audit, no-pdf in seminars is generally so there aren't people completely slacking off, and sometimes rules are bendy. that said, i'm sure you'll do fine anyway

help on the way?

[katertoticus.livejournal.com]

So I haven't read The Fall of Thuringia, but I have studied the Aeneid a couple of times and know it pretty well for a non-classicist (epic poetry happens to be one of my favorite genres, and the Aeneid and the Odyssey are two of my favorite books). I've specifically compared the Aeneid and the Odyssey and the Aeneid and Exodus (on very separate occasions), and given quite a bit of thought to the differences in the kinds of wanderings described in each book.

I have a feeling I might be able to help. Shall I give you a call when I get home (5:30-6ish)? Or you can call me at work for a bit, maybe around lunchtime, if you need more urgent inspiration.

Let me know.

Re: help on the way?

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

I think I've managed to get things worked out. Frantically read chunks. Anyway, it's due at 4:30, and I have an interview at 11:15, so I'm not really around anyway.

[chuckro.livejournal.com]

Actually, it's because Princeton hates students and wants to make them all miserable. It'd get rid of them and just have fundraiser parties for alumni, but then it would probably lose tax-exempt status.

[moooshy.livejournal.com]

i pass fail a class every semester...its lovely

then again, i am useless :)