my public speaking class has a minister as a professor, but?

Question

He wants us to give a speach on a major issue we find important, but it cant be on anything he is against (like abortion) I dont think thats fair and everything i want to speak about is on his no list. Is it rude of me or rude of him?

its a public college

BTW: im not for abortion, im against it. But that was the only one i can remember without getting his list.

heres his list:
Abortion, Israeli-arab conflict, atheism, sex, gay marriage, and a few others i never heard of

Answer 1

Its a stupid class just go for the easy A. Actually he is being more honest than most college teachers who won't give you the courtesy of a list or a personality for guidance. They simply judge and grade you according to their opinions without telling you what they are first. So consider yourself lucky to have a guy that is putting his prejudice on the table where you can see it and take advantage of the gift he's giving you. Learn to write to an audience. College is all about learning to sell yourself (short in most cases).

Answer 2

wishing to give a speech on a major issue that you think is important, but can't be on any topic that your professor has listed as things he doesn't want broached in class. I would like to know what other things he has in his list of don't speak on. Abortion is a very sore topic and that requires allot of in depth study. So anyone just speaking about it for 15 min. really isn't enough time to give it honest consideration. Same goes with Pro Abortion. Creationism vs. Evolutionism, Jihad vs. Christianity. All those topics are and should be talked about but when the class' curriculum is on public speaking. These topics require so much depth that this speech class can't probably give it the credit it deserves.

Answer 3

Well - it is his class, so just get through it. It's not any different than professors who push their liberal political view who use the constitutional right of free speech.
Free speech goes both ways.

I know a girl that failed an English Comp. assignment because the professor didn't like her view on the military. She's a military child who's father is still serving.
Either speak on what you want and risk a failing grade, or speak on something that your professor would find appropriate.

Answer 4

Proffesors can do whatever they please. Its frustrating. Usually the opposite is the problem though. I have recieved bad marks for papers and such because I did not agree with a more liberal approach to the subject. I guess everything has two sides. Its about getting a good grade. I have decided that even if I never agree with the professor I care more about passing. Get over it, give a speech on something more original and move on.

Answer 5

Sometimes you will find that your motives and agenda in taking a class is different than that of your professor teaching the class. It's just the way of life, and usually happens with dealing with people that are rigid in their approach to the subject. I would ask him/her privately and respectfully if you could have their permission to speak on one of the topics (with good reasons behind your request, like it would be good to have a different opinion about the subject, it would open people's minds up to that issue, etc...) But keep in mind, they will probably say no. And you have to find something less controversial, to maintain a good grade. If you really feel adamant about this issue, you could bring it up with the head of the department or switch professors.

Answer 6

It is his class, so he chooses the subjects. I imagine he wants to avoid controversy, so that the program runs smoothly. If your intent is to become a public speaker, than you will be able to speak on your subjects after you graduate. This is a public speaking class, not a debate class. Anyone who is good at public speaking can speak on any subject. Learn the subject and use it for your intended goals in life and career.

I took public speaking, one hour a week, for eight years, starting when I was twelve, 38 years ago. It has always been useful to me.

Answer 7

One of the first things we get to learn is that the education business is deliberately molding you to what THEY want. Research what happened at Berkeley in the late 60s and at UCSB, too. Eventually the students revolted. However, those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Here is your best option, learn from him to give excellent speeches about things you do not believe in, do not care about. Quite a challenge, you admit. Then use that power you have learned to work to change the system. Persuasion is the chisel that can get you more than the hammer of force. If you can learn to persuade (from that public speaking class), you can effect change in the world about things you do believe in.

I am not saying what he is doing is right, just that you have options and can win. Study hard and remember this injustice.

Answer 8

If it was a philosophy class, I'd be inclined to agree with you. But it is a public speaking class therefore it is appropriate for the instructor to set the criteria for the topic. Besides, why would you purposefully want to pi$$ off your instructor who controls your grades? That's pretty masochistic on your part.

Answer 9

In all honesty, it is not rude, but it is ill-advised of him to try to restrict what students research... it makes an instructor seem biased and makes a minister seem weak and unable to stand challenge.

But for the sake of your educational career, search for a topic NOT on his "no" list... it's his world and he doesn't have to be fair... but you need to get through the course.

Answer 10

just pick another topic or work with the prof as he may be willing to help anyone who wants to give a speech on the " no " list to change the topic a little so it would become a " yes ". been there done that.