Professor Constance Kassor at Lawrence University in Wisconsin is reporting that her course has the highest enrollment in the university. She said that “this should tell us something about the current state of college students.” Indeed it does. Students have changed little. Kassor’s course “Doing nothing” gives credit pass/fail in a course that requires literally nothing beyond showing up: no paper, no assignments, no exam. Surprise: it is very popular.The Appleton Post Crescent, reported that the religious studies professor designed the course to help students deal with anxiety that they are not being productive. The idea seems to be to reduce that anxiety with a syllabus requiring no productivity beyond coming to class and hearing views on subjects ranging from tai chi, sleep habits and mind-body awareness.
It is not clear if Dr. Kassor thought that this would be a hard sell but she is reporting that it turns out that students like a course that requires nothing.
Frankly, I do not have a serious objection to a one-credit course on anxiety or stress relief if it is graded pass/fail. However, I am not sure how you fail such a class beyond simply not showing up. You are not actually required to relax if you are that gunner in the class.
Kassor is quoted as saying “This actually allows for students and for all of us to be deeper thinkers, to be more creative, to be more productive workers, to be better at our jobs.” Again, I am not sure that this is an avenue for deep thinking but it does show that college students remain rational actors.
The best course for many students is ditch digging 101. No tests or time limits for completion are required; no stress.
Dig and fill is the routine until the student decides on a better direction without complaint. Students can repeat the course without extra charge for any students losing focus.
“Again, I am not sure that this is an avenue for deep thinking but it does show that college students remain rational actors.”
Ha, really? I cannot agree with your statement. This is the same way most approach their job, show up.
In high school we called this period as study hall, or home room. No credits given except attendance.
Then again, this class called religious studies is just as worthless as women studies, or some other waste of time college course.
Most pre-schoolers have a more structured learning environment. At least they learn how to count, tie their shoes, and pretend to take a nap when instructed.
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Do you fail this class if you actually do something?
Poor anxiety-ridden students need a therapy course to get through college? What a joke.
Considering a good 50% of the population does basically nothing perhaps we need a group professionally trained in the art of being a screw-off to lead them to greater heights of inactivity.
Leftist have been moving from a govt of the people, to a govt by “””expert”””. Guess what, this is where the experts are coming from. They can explain and lecture you on micro aggressions, but insist on calling a medical treatment that does not prevent the spread of, the contraction of, or the transmission of a virus, a vaccine.
This is the epitome of Credentialed, not Accomplished. Every day brings six more examples of Universities running a huge bait and switch scam.
Slackademia
I suppose the University has at least asked her to provide empiric data to back up her assertions.
I have the perfect job for these students. It’s called prison. Stay all day and all night, no work, no paper work, and you can’t leave and no pay, just sit and think, if you have the capability.
Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.
It’s a vicious circle.
The unserious students enrolled in this do nothing “course” are the future “leaders” of business, politics, and education. Be scared, very, very scared.
TED Talks are free with speakers who have expertise in something.Why pay money to attend this college course?
This is an unserious course in a world filled with serious issues that need serious consideration and then to be seriously addressed. And this professor and these students would prefer a course that expects nothing of anyone.
Agree, Prairie Rose. This course is a frivolous waste of time. Maybe the students will find an unserious planet when they graduate.
She is one of many Neros fiddling while Rome burns.
And she gets paid! I hope she is not teaching future doctors and/or engineers!
This is perfect for liberals, because they excel at nothing.
I’ve got my PHD in women’s studies. Where’s my 6 figured job?
How do you know if a student learned anything? Shouldn’t a student learn something to utilize in employment in the future? Presently, I am the adopted senior of a college student taking a nutrition class toward her future degree. She has to do a paper. I have to answer the questions. There is work required for her to get her grade. Are these the type of courses (useless) that we will be transferring tuition payments to the public.
Just think about it, in 5 years the rest of us can pay off the loans kids took out to take this do nothing class.
Note that in all of these types of classes, the title ends with “studies”.
Sounds boring.
I agree.
“[A] course that requires literally nothing beyond showing up . . .”
On time? For every class?
A bit stressful, no?
Well, if it an 8am class….
I’ve lost patience with what the Greatest Generation saved the world for democracy for. Their grandchildren, and their great-grand children have gone to hell in a handbasket.
And they blame us. Can’t imagine this generation storming the beaches of Normandy. In any case, CNN, MSDNC and the rest of the MSM would have blown the Allies’ cover.
Wait and see how they react if the Russo-Ukraine war was to spill over into EU proper.
Can you imagine all those who tweeted “We stand with the Ukraine!” running to enlist in the military?
Neither can I.