"True Weird War academic story" Topic

Some of you may remember that I was taking an online masters in military history at a place which I will not name as this site gets indexed and until I get done with them would rather they not not find this post. I was going to post a review of how it was (I am half way done so far) but again I'd prefer not to have this turn up when it is googled

But in case you wonder it is not one from Vermont that begin with "N" – it is one with no actual campus that starts with an A.

Anyway, So its basically been OK. some classes a joke, some have gotten me to read books I normally would have put off, and every week there are short discussion questions to write and we have to comment on each other's- this taking the place of an in class discussion, and each class has a few small papers and about half a 25 pager.

Anyway, a while ago one short answer discussion question was to prepare a briefing for Hitler on how to defend the Reich assuming it is md-1943. People gave all manner of answers ranging from the all knowing (change the enigma codes) to the "modeler's delight" produce only these Mk17A3 version widgets and not the A2 or A4 versions.

I gave a fairly reasonable comprehensive answer to include some quite interesting ideas- broken up by theater, then each idea numbered. Way down at the bottom, all by itself so it was clearly I didn't mean it to be part of the actual answer I added Oh, and keep working on the secret Antarctic base where we will continue to develop the flying saucers, zombies and giant robotic body to place the fuehrer's head in when it comes time.

I got a cryptic reply from the instructor that our textbook author never mentioned any Antarctic bases, and a failing grade. Now, considering I was the only one to have any new and interesting ideas int he whole project, and I rated my answer as at least one of the top three, this seemed odd. So I asked what I had done wrong.

Seems I had "not taken the assignment seriously enough"
Ah well. I thought it would have been a great jumping off point for a discussion of V weapons… but I still think it is funny as heck and don't regret it one bit.

My suspicion is that he is spreading dis-information so as to prevent the discovery of the Nazi flying saucer/zombie base.

If the rest of your answer was cogent and reasonable, he is just getting his feathers ruffled over trivia.
Everybody knows travel time was too great to the Antarctic and the real work was done on the floating ice labs.

I feel your pain. I'm in the midst of my own military history MA program train wreck. At least yours is online, I wish mine was.

-Mike

But in case you wonder it is not one from Vermont that begin with "N"

That's a relief, since that is a program I am interested in.

-Will

I'm a prof and s/he was just being a jerk.

After marking dozens of papers, you'd think some humour would be appreciated! I know I like a sense of humour when I'm on paper 7 of 9.

Oh I know, but I still think it is kind of funny. Odd thing is I normally get, say, 47 or 48 points out of 50 on things. Now I seem to have been bumped to getting the max points, which I see as a way to increase that grade without actually changing it.

And even funnier when you start one of these courses you have to do a paragraph introduction of yourself. Mine SPECIFICALLY pointed out I have an overly developed sesne of humor that often gets me in trouble. One of my classmates asked for an example.

Of course it is funny that so far in 8 classes only 2 students have ID'd me as an author, and NONE of the WW2 specialized faculty. I don't say anything as I know it would put them on the defensive and make me work even harder.

Although I will admit some of the best class asignments WERE were having to play combat mission and write up AAR's.

Anyway, the program is acreddited, so as I always say its just to get my ticket punched for a specific purpose. And a LOT easier than driving/parking/sitting in class. And if you don't mind a little reading, and doing some writing I think all in all its a pretty easy program. The "N" program I am jelous of not able to be an alum of the school as it is pretty cool, but it was just not flexible enough, cost more, and way to general.

Oh and I just added a post about the Nazi Stealth Plane new item. I guess that was developed at the Arctic base…..

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I have been thinking of the "N" program myself.
What is the general opinion of it? Is it worth the money, etc.?

I'm thinking of a program at "A" as well, but in intelligence analysis.

I remember adding some bit of Freudian fluff after my real answer to a question something like, "Could the outbreak of world War I be blamed on an incompetent chauffeur?" I invented something about Gavrilo Princep's mother saving for years to buy a genuine Austrian coocoo clock, only to find it was defective, and collapsing into a total depression, from which she never recovered, and leaving poor Gavrilo with a lifelong hatred of the Austrians. No instructor comments, but certainly no negative responses like you got.
Grelber

Ha Ha Ha!!!! I actually like that. And in fcat am about to take the WW1 clas. I will now HAVE to use that as a "story I heard" that may or may not be true.

As I am broke and unemployed and a poor student I am no longer a supporting member which means I can't post on the secured member board. If anyone wants me to write up the review of my impression of my program and will post it for me on that board just let me know. Drop me a line at Jon at Gawne dotcom

I'm a prof too, and I can't imagine he'd make the grade stick unless he thought you were being serious. Approach him again with a sincere apology (yes, I know you shouldn't have to do it) or offer to rewrite the paper in a more serious way. If he refuses you're dealing with an incorrigible ahole.

You know, it's stories like these that make me *glad* I didn't choose to go into history as an academic, because you need to have to have a sense of humor to teach the subject, in my opinion.

Not to hijack, but I actually got a brownie point from an ancient history prof for identifying a "Triumph" as a "type of British motorcycle" on my final exam, which was carefully crossed out with a single line and the actual answer written. That sort of creativity should be encouraged among students.

Some professors take themselves way too seriously. In a regular education situation, you can figure this out after sitting in on the classes a few times.

Online, though, you have no idea what your instructor is really like.

Until you do something like this, that is.