March 07

Discussing Petroski
I know you have a paper due. I know it's around midterm time. I know you all have busy lives.

And yet, I can find no excuse for the total lack of discussion on Petroski in the forum (save LOVABLE984's post--kudos to you). 48 hours and one thread without a single reply. To say I am disappointed is to put the matter lightly.

I could, I suppose, implement weekly posting requirements. But that seems juvenile and condescending and, what's more, it would only generate more work for me in the end, since I would have to track who posted what and when. You are, after all, adults. And, to be honest, I feel I have devoted more than enough time to this class already.

So, I am washing my hands of the Petroski discussion. Discuss or don't discuss--it's up to you (though I think your decision is already clear). I won't participate in any threads (should there be any); I won't extend or prompt discussion; I most certainly won't correct misperceptions of this essay. It's all in the hands of the class.

Let me be clear: I don't do this to be passive aggressive; I don't do this as some odd form of punishment; I don't do this from anger or even from my profound sense of disappointment. I do this because I've tried just about everything else and, now, I am willing to believe that what I have always held true about teaching 101 (the importance of discussion, for example) may not be true. I am willing, in other words, for all of you to prove me wrong by skipping discussion and then doing well on Paper Four. Best of luck to you all.

To Do for Next Class:

1. Discuss Petroski
2. Finish Paper Three. Papers are due by Noon on Friday. Late papers will be penalized one letter grade. Papers must be emailed to me at barriosb@rci.rutgers.edu by 4pm on Thursday or at barrios@optonline.com after that.