Y'know, I'd REALLY like to respond to the above post, because I have certain opinions on it, but... what would it accomplish, really? Everyone's mind is set. Its about as useful as discussing abortion & religion.
And those subjects (along with gun control) are taking a tangent from this movie.
I just got done watching it. It was.... OK. Kind of some nice, poignant moments about it, which averaged out the lack of a strong direction.
My parents were both university professors, they taught at that level for about 35 years before retiring (they taught lower level schools before that point). Both have their PhD's, and both were tenured.
So based on what I saw go on with my family, and the stories they told me, I can relate to some of the points in this movie, which is why I rate it as "ok".
Anyways, I've spent about 11 years after grad school working in private industry, and I gotta say, coming from the corporate world the idea of "tenure" is a mindblower.
I'm not saying its right or wrong, but man, I just can't imagine it. In corporate america it seems like your job sometimes hinges on what you do each and every day. For people of my age (mid 30's), it seems hard to think about working for a company for the next ten years.... let alone having a "lifetime job".
Given the fluidity of both our society and our economy, I wonder if one day tenure will be seen as an antiquated concept, and left by the wayside? Just like pensions have been for so many workers outside of the educational system?
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wordartist1
14 years ago
I'm in academia (currently finishing my PhD) and I think it is problematic that so little worth is attached to good teaching at the college level. Someone who is a crappy teacher but published a lot will almost surely get tenure while someone who is the reverse (like the main character in this movie) probably won't. It shows teaching is valued very little. That is too bad because universities are primarily funded through tuition - even universities that bring in large amounts of grant money. Students are entitled to receiving a good education through good teachers.
Killing for tenure is ridiculous. That is one example of a crazy woman who had killed her own brother, tried to kill her advisor while she was doing her PhD, and got into random fights with people. She was a nutjob. Generally, if you don't get tenure, it means you should re-evaluate your goals. Maybe the university you are at is a poor fit. Maybe you'd be happier teaching at a smaller college, a community college, or high school. Perhaps you'd rather start up your own consulting agency or work for a corporation.
The sad thing is that the woman who shot her colleagues was going to be given a YEAR to figure out what she would do before she had to leave. Where else can you lose your job but have it not actually happen for a year so you can continue to work, get paid, and have health insurance while you look for new employment? Outside of academia, people often just get let go and are out of luck and immediately or nearly immediately without income or benefits.
Sometimes an idea is so bad that it starts to be good again.
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steve_browning
13 years ago
wordartist1, good post.
My parents taught at the university level for 35 years each, and had their PhD's for at least 30 of those years..... and they felt similiar to you.
They taught at a small, but well regarded public/state university in a small town. They chose that path because they thought it was a good way to raise children (small quiet town to bring up kids in, plus they had convenient hours, so most of the time at least one of them could be at home)
they KNEW they could make a lot more money at other places, but they didn't want to do that. They liked the town they were in, but more importantly, they knew if they went to a bigger university, to get ahead they'd have to spend most of their time/energy publishing papers, and they didn't want to do that.
Above all, the thing they liked about their jobs, much more than just having a flexible schedule, was TEACHING. They loved interacting with the students, loved seeing the look in their eyes "when the light came on" and they understood what was being taught.
In a way, it sickens me that so many universities would rather have professors that published papers, than professors who were good teachers.
I think the first, and foremost goal of any university should be the teaching & training of their students; everything else should be secondary.
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dreamonforever1
13 years ago
they used to call it "publish or perish" on university campuses.
it's a pressure on academics that no other professionals know.
it sounds obvious, but you should teach because you love teaching - not because you want a job from which you can't be fired.
luke wilson does a good job in this film by not straining our 'suspension of disbelief' too much. i wouldn't have thought he would before i watched the film. the really good thing about this movie is that it shows how the "publish or perish" ultimatum effects even profs at small colleges.
gregory 12911.
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