Miami University is a state school that prides itself on the personal attention it gives to its undergraduates—a statement that seems to ring true. I personally have taken classes that are smaller, comprised of twenty some students, and larger, lecture-hall classes. Regardless of the size, professors make a genuine effort to know their students, and be readily available concerning any questions about course material. Office hours are adequate, but professors are very flexible in meeting outside these times as needed. In small classes, professors not only make it a point to know a student’s name, but also to follow that student’s progress and address concerns. Some lecture halls make personal attention difficult, but I personally was impressed with the methods professors use to make such classes more engaging. My psychology professor, in particular, assigned group work and encouraged small group discussions when possible, making the class both more interesting and more intimate. Admittedly, large lecture halls can become disruptive and monotonous, but this is a small problem because lecture halls are mostly for Miami plan requirements. Once a student is inside his or her major, classes rival the small size seen in private schools.
Class participation varies dependent on the course, as I have witnessed both ends of the spectrum. Lower level courses tend to have less participation, as many students are simply taking the course for credit as opposed to interest in the material. Likewise, upper level courses tend to have very active participation, but it depends on the professor itself. One of the negative experiences I’ve had concerned a professor that discouraged students because the professor shut down answers he/she did not agree with, rather than encouraging new lines of thought. On the other hand, I have had a professor that had such enthusiasm and open support of her students, that the whole class participated often. Fpr the most part, Miami University promotes student participation.
In my experience, students tend to be very different outside of class. Except for students purposely meeting for a group project, it is not common to hear anyone students leading intellectual discussions. Admittedly, many students are too concerned with social affairs to discuss their classes, unless it is to commiserate on a heavy course load or difficult professor. While students at Miami are serious about their academics, this does not usually translate into their daily lives. Many students study diligently on Sundays, spending their weekends engaging in social activities. Cramming for tests is common, and students tend to think about course materials more in concerns to their grade then how it applies in their life. Miami University has a strong academic program; that is fairly certain. Perhaps the greatest weakness is translating that success into passion. Students are very successful, with high job placement rates upon graduation, but I see few that learn for the sake of the love of learning. It is of course, difficult to blame a school for this, in the difficult current economy, but it is still a challenge the University should consider.
As for my personal experiences, I am in enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, pursing a degree in English/Creative Writing. My least favorite course I’ve taken was a lecture hall science course, which I took to satisfy Miami Plan general requirements. Partially this was due to my lack of interest, but it was more so the manner the course was taught. Tests were written so as to question a student’s confidence, and, I feel, were not accurate to a student’s knowledge and dedication. My favorite class, on the other hand, was an introductory literary studies course. The professor was extremely enthusiastic, exceedingly encouraging, and creative. Every class consists of open discussion, and I truly believe my writing and analytical abilities were fostered over the semester. The course required hard work, but it also helped students grow, and welcomed many ways to go about succeeding and developing one’s one voice.