Would you drop this class?

[PrincessFiona]

I'm taking a graduate level course at my local university that is being offered in an online format. There are now only 2 students (including myself) left in the class. The problem? The professor hasn't gotten online since the first day, and won't respond to her email either. She posted several articles that we are supposed to read as well as a list of films to choose from to watch and do a detailed critique of (using video, etc). The first article and video thing are due next Thursday. Problem? You can't access the files. They weren't uploaded properly.

We have received no feedback in the discussion area, there are no notes to follow ... all I am doing is reading a text and answering/asking questions with one person. It's stupid. I actually paid money for this (like more than $1000!).

If you were in my shoes, would you just complain and drop it?

Kris

[DCJenn]

I would contact the department head and ask them (play innocent) about how the structure is supposed to work.

J.

[Pollyanna]

I would first try to contact by phone the person in charge of the online courses, explain the situation and give them a timeframe in which I would expect the issue to be resolved. If they don't fix the problems I would drop the course. Let them know your plan, point out the money they are losing by keeping this particular teacher in their employ, and make sure that if you do drop the course you get a full refund.

[PrincessFiona]

She IS the dept. head right now! :/

[Pollyanna]

She may be the department head but there is an administrator that is in charge of the online program at most universities.

[SoonerTexan]

Maybe that is the problem...I'd consider dropping

[Pollyanna]

If this course is really important to take right now and if the university is close to you I would probably just show up at her office door with my notebook and say, "hi, I'm in your online class and there are issues that need to be resolved".

[PrincessFiona]

I think I will contact her by phone or else by heading onto campus. She has gotten rave reviews from students, but for some reason she has forgotten about this course.

Kris

[MrsK]

Not only would I drop, I'd demand a refund.

[MDPhDWife]

Ditto to Mrs. K. Completely unacceptable in my book.

[Thirteen]

I think I will contact her by phone or else by heading onto campus. She has gotten rave reviews from students, but for some reason she has forgotten about this course.

Kris

This, completely. Also, even Department Heads answer to someone... sounds like the prof has some 'splainin' to do!

[TigerLily]

Do you need the credits right now? I would definitely contact her by phone. Is it possible that the class has been canceled? I can't imagine the university would continue to pay someone to teach a class with only 2 students. Maybe she thinks it's been canceled, but somehow it's official cancellation has slipped through the cracks.

[Cinderella]

I once had a class with a maximum capacity for 17 students and 7 signed up. By the second week only 4 were left and so I dropped it leaving it with 3 people but the class went on the entire semester. If you don't need it and you're not getting what you need from it and you get some sort of reimbursement by a certain deadline then I'd drop the class.

[BonBon]

Given how much you're enjoying the class (er...self-study) I would wait and get a hold of someone to see what's up. I had a class like that last summer (History of Medicine) that was so cool...but I had to drop because the instructor WENT TO AUSTRALIA for 3 weeks during a 6 week class and wouldn't email anyone back. (even before she left. she's an ass)

Hopefully the professor will snap out of it!