Values-based student worker development

Back to the CoLab
Login

Portfolio Part: Evil Galore

Back to dylantulk's Portfolio
Workbook Page: Digital Submission

#wronganswersonly

Evil Galore

In the space below, brainstorm the MOST restrictive, oppressive course policies you can imagine. You can choose to frame these around a course you teach, or you can just come up with a list that could apply to any courses. Be as heavy-handed and authoritarian as you like; it’s okay if the rules you write make you uncomfortable.

Oppressive Course Policies

  1. No access to water
  2. You have to come to class no matter how sick you are
  3. If you answer anything wrong you lose points
  4. You have to be motionless in your chair and constantly make eye contact with the lecturer
  5. You must never engage with your classmates because it will distract you
  6. No time for a bathroom break
  7. Your physical appearance will affect your grade
  8. Everyone starts the class with an F and has to slowly build it up over the semester.
  9. No bringing backpacks into the room because the teacher hates visual clutter

Oppressive Course Policies Reflection

These evil rules made me feel mad when I was writing them, but they also made me laugh because some of them were pretty ridiculous. I don’t have any classes with any of these policies, but sometimes due to the culture of a classroom, you can feel like it would be distracting to drink water for example, or shift around in your chair. I do however remember some classes in primary school that you weren’t allowed to look anywhere but the teachers eyes, and you definitely weren’t allowed to go the bathroom.

Referring back to the rules you wrote, now write the OPPOSITE of each of them in the space below. Reframe each rule by imagining what it would be if you tried to completely counteract its purpose.

Rewritten Course Policies

  1. Everyone should have access to water during class.
  2. There should be Teams of Zoom options for every class so sick people can participate or at least listen from home without missing course content.
  3. There is no wrong answer to anything. Sharing your thoughts is enough, it is good to have varying perspectives in the same discussion.
  4. Professors should encourage people to move around during work time, have different activities that require different seating arrangements for example. Physically engaging people helps them stay focused. No teacher wants to be locked eyes with by twenty students for two hours, but do stay focused to show that you are listening and respecting their time.
  5.  Engaging with classmates is good, it can give students motivation to do their homework if they know they will be discussing it with their peers!
  6. Always have time for a quick break in the middle of class, and let people leave if they need to.
  7. Your physical appearance is up to you and should be nobody else’s business.
  8.  Everyone should start the class with an A, and the rest of their work will either lower it or keep it there.
  9. Please bring back packs to class they are essential to keep course materials/textbooks/laptops etc with you for class use.

Rewritten Course Policies Reflection

These policies were much more enjoyable to write, they reminded me of fun classes I’ve had (and are having at the moment). I realize I have quite a few teachers who are working hard to demonstrate good course policies and are respectful of students’ needs. I appreciate this extra after listing the evil policies, and being reminded of just how horrible a class could be.

Reflect upon the experience of writing both sets. How did writing these rules make you feel? How were the two experiences different? In your own courses, are your policies more like one set or the other? Put yourself in the shoes of a student again, and re-read the rules. How do they feel now?

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Login/Register