Question about grades?

Question

I am signing up for a class next semester (required) where I heard the professor grades using a "pure bell curve". This means that the grading distribution is already set at the BEGINNING of the course.

However, this worries me. Because a pure bell curve means that it's not impossible, albeit rather unlikely, that if everyone does "A work", and I end up doing "B+ work", I could fail the course--that is, if my understanding of said system is correct.

In the event of such a case, are there alternatives? In other words, if the system turns out to be an "unfair" grading system due to the aforementioned hypothetical case, are there measures put in place to protect the interests of students? By the way, I attend a Florida public university.

Thank you for your time.

jemhasb,

As I previously mentioned, a "pure bell curve" means that the grading distribution is already set at the beginning of the course.

Answer 1

You should determine what he means by a "pure bell curve".
I have had classes where the whole class had grades deserving C or lower (no it wasn't my teaching). I have also had classes in which the whole class deserved A+ and above (could claim my teaching was responsible but won't). To try to fit either into a bell curve would be wrong.
Rather than fitting everyone under a "pure bell" he should have some sort of criteria referenced testing. This makes it fairer to the students and the results more reliable. Talking about bell curves again, giving grades is sometimes subjective, especially at the margins. A student who gets a borderline A/B etc will eventually get the B or C based on how the teacher percieves that student.

Answer 2

I understand the concern here but want to suggest that you focus on the degree you're trying to earn more and not so much on the steps that you take to earn it.