Hi, I don't know if anyone else feels this way who shares this class with me--HI 341 with Bassett, but this class could possibly be the worst and most boring history/technology I have had, and I love history/technology and have taken plenty of these types of classes. I signed up for this one because it fit my minor, STS and looked interesting.

First off, Dr. Bassett seems like a very nice and good man, but he really does not know how to teach or speak in public for that matter. He uses the hesitation phrase "umm" way too much. One day I was so bored that I counted the number of times that he used the word "umm." I got to about 200 when I just gave up and stopped counting. He used the word "umm" 200 times in a 50 minute class. Maybe he has a speech problem, I don't know, but it is so hard to concentrate and focus on the lecture.

He also seems very disorganized and his website is confusing. He goes back and forth between 20th century technology and the technologies of the past. Looking around the classroom during his lecture tells me that most people probably agree with these statements for they are totally disinterested.
For example, he got mad at some dude today for reading the Technician. I couldn't blame the kid. I would have been doing the same thing if I remembered to pick up the paper this morning.

Another thing--when he asks questions and some attentive student actually responds, it seems like he isn't even listening but rather thinking of what to say next. He rarely elaborates on a student's answer.

Also, another negative aspect of this whole experience is that the class is in HA 100, with over 100 students. Sitting in that class room is more uncomfortable than sitting in coach in a cramped airplane. The chairs kill by back, give me wedgies, and half of the desks do not even work anymore.

I hate that there is a strict attendance policy, because if there was not, I would never go.

I apologize if I offended anyone who actually likes this class, or if Dr. Bassett and/or his TAs read
this, but I just had to get this off my chest and couldn't wait until evaluations.

Does anyone agree with me who is in the class as well, or am I on my own here?

-D

10/1/2007 6:48:06 PM

That sounds like a pretty good percentage of the classes offered at State. The chairs are never comfortable, people only pay attention if they feel the need and regularly read the Technician, and some profs are just better than others.

10/1/2007 7:01:28 PM

haha i am in that class

didnt know any wolfwebbers were in there

10/1/2007 9:31:52 PM

it is by far the worst class i have ever taken. the comments he made on my paper make no sense.

10/1/2007 9:41:47 PM

i'm in there. i agree with what you said. it seems so disorganized. i did OK on the paper though, so i'm not complaining (as long as friday's test isn't too hard).

10/1/2007 11:00:01 PM

just paste this post into the evaluation

10/2/2007 12:01:07 AM

I had Dr. Basset in 2000 for the History of Technology in America. I completely and totally agree with everything that you are saying. He's a nice man with an incredibly awkward teaching style. The class was painfully boring, but just stick it out. The year that I had him every single student received either an A or a B.

10/2/2007 7:27:51 AM

does anybody understand the paper topics?

10/2/2007 9:38:03 PM

He's a very likable guy. You all are being babies. Quit making excuses for why you're not getting anything out of the class. The problem is you, not him.

[Edited on October 2, 2007 at 9:48 PM. Reason : ]

10/2/2007 9:47:21 PM

i met with him during office hours to discuss our first book, it completely changed my opinion about the man. He is a good guy and very willing to help

10/2/2007 10:32:48 PM

I never said he wasn't friendly or that I do not like him as a person. His class just sucks and is extremely boring.

10/3/2007 9:20:07 AM

Anyone have any insight in to what his tests are like? 1st test friday.

10/3/2007 9:45:22 AM

Doesn't Bonham teach this class, too?

She's cool.

10/3/2007 10:00:42 AM

Yeah, does anyone know what we should be studying and looking at for the first test on Friday?

10/3/2007 3:43:30 PM

bttt

still hoping for some insight as to what to expect on his test 1

10/4/2007 6:00:20 AM

Quote :

"His class just sucks and is extremely boring."

Boring people get bored.

10/4/2007 10:43:01 PM

Wow, that's genius. You should write a book on that theory!

10/5/2007 12:32:26 AM

Maybe I will. Maybe I'll write the book, become a professor, and push to create a class about the book where I will hold you and your boring friends captive.

10/6/2007 12:45:45 PM

Make sure you do your part to do well in the class. Read the book, go over notes, and if you don't understand what he is talking about, ask questions. Go see him during office hours.

10/6/2007 1:30:45 PM

this class was really easy if you just payed attention and half way read

10/6/2007 1:35:04 PM

I took this class, and I understand your frustration to some extent. It is quite a bit of work. But, he will not kill you on the papers and the tests were never that bad. You need to read your notes well.

Also, the class gets really interesting in the seconf half of the semester. He will also give you a bunch of good feedback on your papers. And in the discussion sections, if you pay attention to him, you can learn a great deal about reading and taking notes.

I really loved his class, and I think that I learned more from it than most of my other non-degree courses.

[Edited on October 6, 2007 at 5:37 PM. Reason : v]

10/6/2007 5:34:38 PM