Uggen's Teaching Goals and Philosophy
(Pronounced You-Gun)
1167 Social Sciences: 612-624-4016
uggen001@umn.edu
www.soc.umn.edu/~uggen
The other points are really a
subset of this one. Education is a service industry, but you cannot simply
purchase a unit of education the way you would buy other commodities. Instead,
you must devote time and energy to learning. I respect those students who must
make work, family, or other commitments their top priority. Nevertheless, to
benefit from the class and to be rewarded with a high grade, you must find time
to do the work.
2. PROCEDURAL JUSTICE OR FAIRNESS.
In my non-statistics classes, I
typically grade exams and papers anonymously (by identification numbers rather
than names) to avoid favoritism or other biases. Universal standards and strict
deadlines are the best way I know to provide equal opportunities for all
students.
3. HIGH STANDARDS FOR EXCELLENCE.
I reserve grades of A for
outstanding work that engages course materials with original thought and
creativity or a mastery of technical skills. You can receive a B by doing all
of the work well and a C by meeting all course requirements.
4. OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDEPENDENT WORK.
All must meet the basic
requirements. For those wishing to engage the material at the highest level, I
allow flexibility for more ambitious projects.
5. RESPONSIVENESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
You will have the opportunity to
evaluate me and to critique the course in time for me to make changes that will
benefit you. If you think I have failed to live up to the principles or
philosophies here listed, please let me know about it.
6. ACCESSIBILITY.
I will be available to you during
office hours and flexible in scheduling appointments outside these hours (including
nights and weekends).
7. OPENNESS TO DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.
Sharing your experiences and
understandings (publicly or privately) enriches the course for your fellow
students, especially when you disagree with me.
8. ENTHUSIASM FOR THE SUBJECTS I TEACH AND FOR
TEACHING AS A VOCATION.
I cannot expect you to really
engage the course materials if I am bored with them. Therefore, I will make
every effort to make the texts, lectures, and assignments current, relevant,
and intellectually engaging.
9. SKILLS,
KNOWLEDGE, AND ATTITUDES.
I teach: (1)
technical and life skills that will benefit you inside and outside of the
classroom; (2) abstract and concrete knowledge about the social world; and, (3)
attitudes promoting the free and good-humored exchange of ideas.