I have noticed the same phenomenon in my larger classes. I think
there is some subconscious concern on the part of everyone. I have
resorted to frequent short writing assignments to get them to focus.
For most this is working, but for some it is adding pressure which
seems to cause them to withdraw further.  This is beyond my ken and
ability to handle....I'm not a psychologist. Jim Highsmith

>In the past few weeks I've had a number of my colleagues come by to talk
>about the lack of luster in their classes this semester. They are, of
>course, referring to the performance of their students not themselves.
>Indeed, I too have noticed that students in my large law class are present
>physically but seem much less engaged than in past semesters. They did
>poorly on the midterm, don't seem to be studying much and more unwilling
>than usual to seek information on their own (e.g., who actually sits on the
>Supreme Court).
>
>Several of my colleagues has suggested that students may be responding to
>the events of September 11, 2001 and the war movement since then - at least
>by adopting an attitude that says "who cares, it doesn't matter anyway we
>may die." I have asked many students about this and with one exception,
>most of them feel that the events are far away from them. They don't
>contemplate a draft, most did not know people who died in the terrorist
>acts of September 11 -- in sum, they feel distant from what is happening.
>At least that is what they say.
>
>So, I'm wondering if the rest of you are seeing a difference in your
>classes this semester. It could, of course, just be that we have a group of
>less than thrilled students in our midst but I'm not sure.
>
>If you are seeing a difference, what are you doing about it?
>
>Thanks for your thoughts from cold and blustery Iowa --where not all of us
>feel disconnected hard as we try.
>Nancy


"Things are not the same; they never were." Anonymous

James Highsmith
Verna Mae and Wayne A. Brooks Professor of Business Law
Craig School of Business
California State University Fresno
President Elect, Academy of Legal Studies in Business (International)
209-278-2208   [log in to unmask]