# To the One-trick Pony in class ... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 25, 2005, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048 "2005-07-25T14:04:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2005, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048/21 "2005-07-25T21:05:53Z")
> [@smiling bandit](#): > > Most professors encourage class discussion for a reason. \ It’s usually pretty obvious when the professor is lecturing and when they’re open to discussion. And even when they’re lecturing, a good question clearing up a point of confusion is usually well-received. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2005, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048/22 "2005-07-25T21:13:56Z")
> [@Lockseer](#): > > And yet, in graduate school, such an approach would constitute a legitimate reading of the text. Feminist theory, for example, analyzes texts from the standpoint of the gender power inequality that led to such a text being able to be created. There are similar textual analyses that are taken from a racial perspective. > > Christ, at least he’s participating. Oh, without a doubt. On both scores. I have no problem with analysis undertaken from the point of view of gender, race, class, etc., etc. I do think, however, that some people tend to rely excessively on one particular interpretive framework, and in doing so discount the useful contributions that can be made by being a little more catholic in their interests. ---
**Author:** ![Lockseer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a5b964/32.png) [@Lockseer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lockseer)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2005, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048/23 "2005-07-25T21:17:29Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > \ I do think, however, that some people tend to rely excessively on one particular interpretive framework… Thank you! Was trying to remember the phrase “interpretive framework,” but since I left my doctoral program last fall, had blanked on it. Ironically, given the title of this thread, many professional academics are considered to be one-trick ponies. I know in my program, we were encouraged to take up a set of “pet theories,” and focus on those so we make a name for ourselves in that particular type of analysis. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048/24 "2005-07-25T21:29:47Z")
> [@Lockseer](#): > > Christ, at least he’s participating. Fuck yeah. You know, GH, you can call this guy out, any time you want. Instead of waiting for the prof to take care of the “problem” like you’re in elementary school, speak the fuck up and tell him what you think. Unless you’re afraid that more people will agree with him than with you, which just makes you a coward. ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2005, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048/25 "2005-07-25T23:39:49Z")
To all who’ve said I should participate more in calss: I try every day. WHenever the prof says something I find interesting or can add my own theories on, I do so, but the lame-ass just nods and keeps right on rambling on as if I hadn’t said anything. He lets people speak, but never gives credence to what they are saying. I’ve never had a teacher with so little social skill before, and it’s offputting. As for dealing with the Pony during one of his ill-timed tirades, the guy has admitted to being a drug dealer while living in New York and going to jail for it. He has an emotional investment and perspective on things that, as a law-abiding citizen, I don’t give a crap about. I just want him to cut it out so we can get back to the subject at hand. “Hey man, can you shut the Hell up so we can get back to work?” doesn’t really seem like it’ll go over too well. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048/26 "2005-07-26T04:01:59Z")
You’re a Doper-whatever happened to a good old, “CITE?” ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048/27 "2005-07-26T06:49:50Z")
> [@Gorgon Heap](#): > > “Hey man, can you shut the Hell up so we can get back to work?” doesn’t really seem like it’ll go over too well. You’d be surprised what a hearty ‘Shut the hell up!’ can do especially if the rest of the class agrees with you. Judge by how much applause you get after you do it. You are paying to hear the professor talk, not some goof. Class discussions are fine as long as what is being discussed relates to why you are in the classroom in the first place AND you get differing opinions, not just the same regurgitated crap from one individual. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048/28 "2005-07-26T07:51:51Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > It’s amazing how many people have such a narrow, passive view of what constitutes education. Well, not all classes are condusive to discussion. I can’t remember that many discussions in _any_ of my physical chemistry classes. ---
**Author:** ![Martiju](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@Martiju](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martiju)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048/29 "2005-07-26T08:28:41Z")
> [@kidchameleon](#): > > Well, not all classes are condusive to discussion. I can’t remember that many discussions in _any_ of my physical chemistry classes. Maybe not, but I bet you didn’t just sit there and absorb information. You might, perhaps, have actually done some labwork - ie. participating! ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2005, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048/30 "2005-07-26T13:25:39Z")
**Guin** , you’ve cut me to the quick! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-one-trick-pony-in-class/314048.md?page=1)