Talk:Robert Zieger

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Classes taught

It's unclear, to me, why an encyclopedia article should contain information on what classes this individual is teaching this semester or year. Are these new classes that have never taught before, or never thought of before? Are these educational innovations? I thought professors were supposed to teach classes. Why is this something worth noting? (Or is this just advertising, to pack the professor's classes?) It would be different if the individual had won some honor for teaching, or for innovation in the classroom. Othewise, I think these should be removed (and I've removed them).

Additionally, the claims about the individual's teaching skills also are, I feel, inappropriate. Doesn't every professor demand their students come to class prepared? Doesn't every professor feel he or she offers a lot in class? Again, for many of the same reasons listed above, I would remove this section. However, if there is some way to provide support for these opinions about this individual, add them and leave the paragraph.

Don't get me wrong: Bob Zieger is a superb scholar, a great professor and terrific writer. It's just that these things aren't appropriate for an encyclopedia article. - Tim1965 15:04, 25 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

I've got a unique take on this, as I am Robert H. Zieger's briefly mentioned son, Robert E. Zieger. I can't claim complete lack of bias when it comes to Dad. But from the view of my father from under the same roof, I suspect that the emphasis upon his teaching is relevant. I've attending two of the most fancy-pants universities in the country, (one state school, and one private--but I didn't have to pay!), and I'd argue that teaching excellence is genuinely worth noting. "Doesn't every professor demand their students come to class prepared?" Good god, no. At Duke, I was treated to one in particular who assigned readings and then read them back to us in incomprehensibly abbreviated form.

In short, based on the energy that I have seen him devote to his teaching--and as I'm a high school history teacher, myself, we discuss this sort of thing even now, long after I've left the nest--the general reputation that I've gleaned from his colleagues and his students, and my own observations--having watched him in action--I'd have no hesitations in describing him as a "master teacher". (That he has also written well-received books is indisputable.)

I guess my point is that I think my dad has always made a very conscious effort to be every bit the teacher, as he has the professional scholar. Granted, this is a horribly subjective statement. And I'm certainly not suggesting that he's unique in emphasizing his role as a teacher. But since I know that it has been such a focus of his, and that all indications I have (not empiracally veriable, of course) that this focus has been widely and appreciably noted, it seems quite relevant to this entry.

I guess the best parallels I can conjure might be entries on actors who are mentioned to have been heavily involved in social activism (not unique, but worthwhile to know if one hopes to gain an understanding of the person), or the professional athlete who might be described as being considered to be "an ideal team mate, one who makes those around her better" (obviously, what the athlete is supposed to do--beyond be skilled and athletic--and possibly true of many, but not by any means of all). Robotboy15 18:44, 14 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]