Dear Board of Trustees, Faculty Members and Students,
I address this email to those of you who worry about the education imparted here in Cerritos College.
Ever since I started my education at Cerritos College, I had never come across something so disappointing as to what happened in my Political Science 101 class with Prof. Victor Obasohan.
He started with the usual introductory details of the class, but when he got to discuss the required books, everything transformed into a kind of pyramid scheme but with no way out.
Aside from the tuition of the class that we have to pay, $60.00 (3 units), it was mandatory to purchase the textbook Government in America ($134.00), a workbook created by the professor himself ($49.99) and to top it off, an access code for a software in the internet called mypoliscilab.com
Actually, the trick about the workbook is that, indeed, it is not mandatory as he said. However, his lecture goes page by page from what is on the workbook and all the exam questions are at the end of each chapter; so the only way to study is by answering those questions.
In fact, in order to take the test we have to tear down the test questions from our workbook and give it to him in the beginning of test days.
Only then are we eligible to take the test. Also, he explicitly said that no copies would be accepted, so in other words we have to purchase all the material.
This is a total cost of $314.00 for a class that is highly demanded.When he saw our concern about the cost of the material, he simply said, “I know it is expensive, so buy everything and make your money’s worth the cost by getting an A in the class.
It’s so easy because you have all the test questions, so anyone who doesn’t get an A, should be arrested.” After hearing this I could not help myself to feel disgusted.
My teacher was selling me an A! No wonder teachers think that students just come to class for a grade.
Well, the system is forcing us in that direction.I immediately dropped the class and entered Prof. Sanchez class, who is a brand new professor to the institution and a great instructor so far.
The first day of class we saw a documentary about the issue of immigration and we were asked to compose a page paper for the next day regarding our views, position and solution to this issue affecting the United States. I felt relieved.
I knew that this class was geared to make students think, analyze, participate and discuss current political issues that us-active citizens-should be all informed about. However, the good news was not meant to stay.
Politics has proven once more its fallibilities and corrupted tendencies. Prof. Sanchez, informed us that there is a pre-designed course outline for the class that he must follow according to the department chair.
This program requires students to purchase all the material explained before and to base his lecture from that outline.
This is an attack to a teacher’s creativity and judgment.
The design of the course does not require the help of a teacher. We might as well save the gas of coming to school and take this course online.
So we should ask ourselves, does Cerritos College approve business practices from teachers and whole departments? Is the primary interest of teachers to make commission out of students? Are they in the business of making money or inspiring lives?
After reviewing carefully the site of mypoliscilab.com
It is interactive but it certainly does not provoke the interest of students to learn more. From the site we are expected to watch videos about different political issues and answer some questions.
If you press the incorrect answer, the site will notify that it’s an incorrect answer and one can simply click all the options given till you get the right one.
Assignments will be automatically posted on the teacher’s spreadsheet, so there is no work needed by the teacher to find out how students are progressing.
So, does Cerritos College cherish lazy habits? Procrastination over hard work? How can these teaching practices prepare us to a four-year university? For the real world?
I hope no one misinterprets my words or the purpose of this calling.
All I would like is for the people in charge of the Political Science department to evaluate the material and teaching practices and analyze if it justifies the cost.
Can this course be more flexible with students, financially speaking? Can it be more of a critical thinking class than just an easy A? Is this happening in other departments that should also reconsider their programs?
My pure intention is to give the perspective of a preoccupied student who is trying to bring constructive criticism to better the quality of education.
I hope someone can reply to my concern as this is something that not only interests me but many other students out there that can benefit from a course reformation.
Thank you for your kind attention and I eagerly await your prompt response.
