Rude professor?

Question

Is this an issue or no a big deal at all?

A professor at my university recently had all of her students (all female) come to the front of the class and placed them from skinniest to 'fattest'--- her term, not mine. And then pulled from the front of the group the two skinniest girls (who were tall and under 110 lbs) and told the women that 'this is what you should look like'.
She then had the class write their weight down and their 'fat' number and had the young women stand there holding the number up for 15 minutes.

Am I crazy or was this really rude? Especially considering that this is a research and seminar course (not gym) and the fact that she would've been at the end of the line.

Alot of the stunned women complained that they had just had babies and that just because they weighed 120 lbs didn't mean they were going to die of obesity... she then looked at them and said 'But you're fat.'

Is it me or was that highly inappropiate?

And this was all after she complained that at one time after she had a miscarriage and gained weight, people pulled her aside and called her fat and made her cry.

The women were visibly upset but too embarrassed to say anything. Would you have said something?

The class was Sociology Seminar which is a research course and required

Answer 1

That was so inappropriate, rude and embarrasing. If it was me i would complain. What was the class about how to piss off your student group and lose your job in one easy step.

I think she did that because she feels self concious herself about her weight and she is just trying to make herself better and others as **** as she feels.
Ive had a few lecturers be arseholes but nothing as personal as that. She could be in for a big law suit especially if one of the women has an eating disorder.

Answer 2

What was the class? I;m sure there must have been a point to this little demonstartion (if not, then yes it's a little wierd). Maybe it was to illustrate how society and the media make us feel that we have to live up to standards that can be unrealistic. While rationally we know that a 120lbs woman is not at an unhealthy weight, we are led to believe that it's less than perfect.

Answer 3

What the heck class was this? If she had a point to the lecture then yeah it could be the shock you need to think about society stereotypes and what is considered beautiful. But since you fail to mention the class then I can't say

Answer 4

has she ever heard of karen carpenter? there is too
such a thing as being too skinny. at the very least
she needs to get some sensitivity training. some
training in health and nutrition also would not go amiss.
unless your class was in training to be supermodels
or pop divas thin might be in but skinny is out.

Answer 5

Yes, woman can be very spiteful. Men are harsh with fists, women are harsher with words. She was was obviously, (especially taking into account the humility she experienced) expressing her embarrassment, resent, and anger toward these women. As a woman, you now how women are.

Answer 6

she sounds like a real nasty old - you know what - to me.

yes, it is highly inappropriate.
why didn't any of you speak up?
even better, boycott her class and demand a new professor.
get all the people in your class together and sign a petition... demanding a public apology.
that should make her think twice in the future.

Answer 7

This sounds totally inappropriate as well as rude. This professor needs to be not only reprimanded, but quite possibly fired.

Answer 8

Uh yeah, straight to the Dean's office.

Answer 9

This was highly inappropriate..
Complain to the school administration...

Answer 10

How did this person get to be a teacher, she's a nut case.