Shame on the teacher!
I fully expected to fail this last exam in my Macroeconomics class, but I did not realize I was in the majority! 18 out of 30 people got below a C!
I'm not sure if the teacher considers this his problem or not. He did say at the beginning of the class "Failure to prepare on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.", but I'm not sure how far he takes this philosophy.

All he really does to prepare us is to stand in front of the class lecturing. He has given us one homework assignment so far. I taped his lectures and listened to them several times, but this is not enough. I know that some of the exercises in the book would help me, but there are so many I don't know which ones to do, and it's hard to do them without the motivation of credit. It would be so much simpler if he would just assign us homework, and I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way!

Since I don't want to fail this class or drop out, I have arranged to get tutoring every week for the rest of the semester. I am considering going up to this teacher and asking for more homework!

Sounds like you are handling this intelligently... taking it seriously, and aware of your problems.

I would definitely go talk to the teacher. You don't want him to be an adversary of yours, but at bare minimum, maybe he can point out which of your exercises would be the best ones to do...

If the entire class is getting screwed over, you could consider gathering a bunch of them together and complaining to the teacher's boss... I would only do this AFTER trying to peacefully approach the teacher, and if he wouldn't help you out.

Best of luck to you, and cheers on not giving up in the face of adversity!

Don't play against the teacher alone. Either get the majority to complain (you do PAY for your education?) or be contrite and ask for a clearer definition of "prepare."

Originally posted by Djiril
18 out of 30 people got below a C!
If C is the average grade, then wouldn't that be about what is expected?

Regardless, what are you having trouble with?

Originally posted by js_africanus

If C is the average grade, then wouldn't that be about what is expected?
Well, what that means is that half the class got a D or lower. The ones who got a C were included in the top half.
Regardless, what are you having trouble with?
Studying! I don't think the subject matter itself is very hard, but I'm having a hard time sitting down to study without specific assignments and the motivation of credit. I have a hard time managing my study time in the first place, and when I go to study, it is usually a choice between the homework for one class which I will at least get credit for even if it's not on the test, and which probably will be on the test since the teacher picked it out, or one of the overwhelming number of exercises from the macroeconomics books which may or may not help me on the test.

Oh. So there isn't an econ problem so much as an ADD problem.

In the words of waywardclam:

"I would definitely go talk to the teacher. ...maybe he can point out which of your exercises would be the best ones to do..."

In fact, if you went to the teacher and asked for some suggestions for exercises......the teacher might be impressed with your assertiveness, determination, motivation, etc....:)