Tuesday, July 29, 2003

Crimes Against Humanity

Today, I received the following e-mail message from a student in my summer class. This student holds an associate of science degree in nursing from Amarillo College. The student is in my history course because the student plans to pursue a bachelor of science degree in nursing from West Texas A&M University (25 miles south of Amarillo). Our vocationist, anti-intellectual academic leadership allows (encourages?) the nursing students at Amarillo College to take very few academic courses while completing the nearly 3-year regimen of study culminating in an RN certification. The objective of nursing students at Amarillo College is a passing score on the State licensure exam. This student had no library work within her nursing studies. Mortimer Adler would be horrified at the thought of a nurse whose mind was stuffed with information essential for passing the State Nursing Board Exam, not the ability to think critically. 80 academic hours and never set foot in a library: that is what I call a crime against humanity.



In message 55 on Tuesday, July 29, 2003 1:32am, a student in HIST 1302-004 writes:

Dear Dr Sapper, I would like to meet with you briefly about my debate after class tuesday. I have everything written out and need to make sure i am on the right track before I type it out. Yes I know I wont get the extra point I just need your expertise hahahah. You know in over 80 hours of college courses I havent had to write a report so it is a little scary for me, kinda sad but scary. So if I can visit with you briefly I would appreciate it. Thanks for time. A Student



See the WebCT Glossary on Crimes Against Humanity.

Here is the entry in the WebCT Glossary for HIST 1302-004:

Crimes Against Humanity: According to Dr. Sapper, many crimes against humanity are commited on college campuses. A teacher not requiring students to set foot in a library is one example of Sapper's crimes against humanity. Colleges creating gigantic classes ("monster sections") where students aren't given the chance to respond and think for themselves is another crime against humanity. Students also are guilty of crimes against humanity. Not following directions on a test is a crime against humanity, and will result in a student's induction into the Hall of Shame. See also working harder, working smarter, and pet peeves for other crimes against humanity. Submitted by Paul Lovell (HIST 1301-008/May Term 2001).



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