Subject: Re: now we know
From: Jim Rovira (jrovira@drew.edu)
Date: Thu Jul 11 2002 - 09:31:29 EDT
Scottie --
I'm not really sure what I was supposed to get out of that article about
the MLA, but it is pretty interesting that Greenblatt is going to be
President.
The virtual requirement for tenure track junior profs to publish full
length books prior to tenure has been a matter of some debate for some time
-- I've seen recent articles in the Chronicle of Higher Ed. The primary
job of a scholar, I think it is seen, is that of making a lasting
contributing to a body of knowledge -- and this happens both through
publication and through teaching.
The truth is, though, the amount of time a tenure track faculty member
spends in the classroom is pretty minimal compared to the amount of time
he/she spends on committees, researching for the class, advising students,
etc. I've known faculty that were SPECTACULAR in the classroom but REFUSED
to give any students ANY input on ANY of their work. I wrote a 3 page
response paper weekly and a 25 page research paper at the end of one
seminar and, to this day, have not gotten one iota of written feedback from
the guy.
So while he's a remarkable teacher, great in the classroom, he's really
dropping the ball in other areas. He's also very bad about serving on
committees, being available for students, etc. As a result, no matter how
good he is in the classroom, his contract isn't being renewed.
Saying we need to hire people based upon their ability to teach is a bit
one dimensional.
But I like that shift in emphasis.
Jim
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