Growth Opportunity

I'm having new teaching experience this semester, one of my classes is being offered as a general social science elective, so I have a lot of non-anthro majors for the first time. In truth, that's a pretty good run - 14.5 years of being spoiled.

However, my class of mostly Business majors is definite 'payback.' Many definitely suffer from what George Carlin calls the result of "child worship" -- everyone's great, everyone gets a trophy, there are no losers. A sense of entitlement that would make Egyptian pharohs blush.

Today I had a fun exchange -- I have on the syllabus and have announced that "in-class assignments" are just that, and unless they have an excused absence, they can't make it up. That apparently doesn't apply one of my kids, who asked after class when he can make up a quiz he missed while on a job interview. I again explained he couldn't, at which point he told me that the only time available for job interviews is from 1:45 to 2:30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I honestly thought I looked over 40, but apparently I appear to have been born yesterday to this gentleman.

Rather than mention a "turnip truck" fall or something comparably wise-ass, I simply explained that if true, then my course might not be conducive to his schedule. He ended the exchange by asking "what's the name of the Anthropology department chair??"

It took every ounce of self control not to break out laughing. I managed to tell him the name without smiling, and hope against hope that he indeed goes to see Mark. Mark will "hurt" him. Badly. I considered explaining the organizational structure of a university and the concept of tenure to the lad...but decided he could learn all about it on his own.