Eika First

"Ok guys..take your seat and please enjoy it for at least 1/2 hour ahead!"

"Before I go further and further, let me introduce my self. Well, as you have read in your schedule, my name is Prof. X. I’m teaching General Biology, but not like ‘common’ Biology that you may expect. I’ll explain it later."

"I’ve been a professor in Biology since 1981, but not so much that I can get from my teaching, except, you know, a regular salary that I receive every month. So, basically, what I am doing here, that is teaching you, is nothing to do with neither salary nor welfare. It is nothing about it! But, I assure you that this is about my passion. So is my course will mostly discuss about passion. Hence, if you feel that you are not comfortable with this "passion" thing you may get out from this room and drop your course right now. Because I will not provide you any information about DNA transcription, translation, or the like. Nor will I provide you with readings related to those "scrap" information. Indeed, you may get those infromation from any sources, whether online of on books, then, you can put those in your brain. When you came into class, all I need is your brain."

"I want you to be passionate about your learning process. I want you to come to my class, ready with your brain and ready to talk. So, for you who might suffer from shyness, dont worry; for I provide a special time to talk, to let out whatever it is in your brain."

"Secondly, I want you also to be passionate about your peers. Listen to what they bring, and comment on them. Dont let them speak alone. Help them with their questions and curiousity. Challenge their idea. Pour your passion about your subject. So, for example you are really intersted in taxonomy, do find out information ralted to taxomomy. It can be the history, the philosophy, or perhaps what culture has taught you about taxonomy. Bring that into class, talk to your buddies and tell them your thoughts or perhaps your confusion. You can also have questions like "Why do we need an international sytem for taxonomy and classification?" Dont be shy if you consider your questions to be so simple or stupid. Believe me, guys, nothing simple in science."

Thirdly, this class is not about creating competitive environment! I dont want you to be obsessed by number and grade, instead I want you to be passionate about the knowledge. I want you to conflicting your idea and thoughts with your peers. They are the ones who have capacity to help you learning in this class. So, if you had anything in mind, talk to your friends. It is all about sharing. Share! Or you die in this class!

"Remember guys, you have to dig the science, cos nothing is true, the truth is out there, ready to be uncovered!"

"Then, please note that I am part of this passion project. So dont forget to invite me to your discussion. I might be as fool as beginners, so dont expect too much from me! I am no expert in this big science either!" 

"As for your presence, I appreciate so much if you can be here every class, because each class may be full of surprise and without your contribution, this class will be less meaningful. Each of you is responsible for having mutual dialogue in this class. In other words, you decide what you can get from this class by the end of the semester. You can be so passive or so active, it is up to you."

"In terms of evaluation, I’ll value your progress. I’ll value your passion. I’ll value your thoughts! And thankfully, I will not give you grade, whether A,B,C or D. From me, you will get ‘pass or fail’. To pass this class, as well as to fail, is quite easy! Bring your passion, then, you’ll pass, otherwise you fail!"

"So guys, this is the intro of this course. I have to let you go to find whatever materials, readings, sources that you may need for next meeting. I’ve given you the outline of the course so you know what to do for next week."

"If you had further questions on how I oraganize the course, you can ask me now or other ways you can send me an email or come to my office. By the way, my office hour is every Tuesday but by appointment, you can come to my office."

(Silence for a moment)

Any questions?

(Students silent)

OK! Class dismissed!

Seorang mahasiswa ngegerundel dalam hati: "Prof. gila!"

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 11th, 2006 at 12:47 pm and is filed under Ada cerita. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.