Enormous Book Lists

It is that time of year again, the time to buy textbooks. For the most part, professors are thoughtful and conservative when it comes to choosing the text for their classes.

Every once in a while we all get a professor who wants to drain our already small wallets and fill our heads with useless information. I have personally reached a new record for the number of textbooks in a single class this semester. An unnamed government professor has assigned 16 books for their class. 16!

Seriously, if you cannot teach me a topic in less than five books, you have failed as a teacher. Your class in too broad. Stop trying to teach me everything there is to know about a subject. People learn better when there is focus on a specific topic within a subject.

I wonder if this professor thinks that his/her class is the only one on my schedule. That would be nice if I had the pleasure of taking one class a semester. But, back to reality, this class is one of five on my plate this spring. I will not be able to afford all 16 books nor will I have the time to read them.

Please professors of Sac State, think of the students before you put your fantasy reading list together. Continue Reading>>

MySpace vs. Facebook: The New Pepsi Challenge

I don't know about everyone else, but I'm tired of all these social networking sites. Can someone please tell me why we still care about these time-wasters?



For the most part, most of my Facebook and MySpace time is spent in boring lectures. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

I went on MySpace on Friday and noticed a new feature - "People You May Know." Interestingly enough, it bares a striking resemblance to a Facebook application. The Facebook application is titled, oh wait, the title is identical.

I can't wait to get out of college and into the business world. At least in the business world I can blatantly plagiarize and not have to worry about failing a class. I wouldn't even have to put in the effort into making up a new title. As long as people like it, that's all that matters.

So, here I come world. I have nothing to worry about. When in doubt - copy someone else.

Look, I've already started. My title for this blog isn't even that original.
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Guest rant: Sac State's application process is a hassle

By Denise Rooke

Why do we have to apply for graduation a year in advance? I think it's because that's how it's been done since the 60's and Sacramento State refuses to admit that it is 2008. We have the degree analysis online available to us, why can't they just use that?

Probably because its TOO EASY!

California State University, Fresno asks for applications to be filed during the first two weeks of the final semester and UC Davis requires applications just weeks before the final semester starts.

I don't get how Sac State is so slow with everything they do. It's such a disappointment compared to the local junior colleges. They run so smoothly and efficiently. When I applied for my Associate degrees I was approved right away, face to face, and received my degrees in less than two months.

Denise Rooke is a senior business major planning to graduate in spring 2010. Are you a member of the Sacramento State community with a rant of your own? Send your message to online@statehornet.com and we'll post it.

Graphic Credit: Martin Wood
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Elect This!

Oh, can you feel the tension? In only a few hours we will have our new president. No matter what happens, change will come. I, however, would like to see that change come in the form of John McCain.

Yeah, I said it. What?

I've grown tired off all the ads of "My opponent won't do this and I'll do that." But, this is a matter about the people.

I've really grown tired of all the people who say, "If McCain wins, I'm moving to Canada."

No you won't. So stop talking, please.

By saying this, you are just motivating me to help McCain win. And, I hope he does.

I want him to win and see people live up to their words. How amazing would that be?

The headline Wednesday would read "McCain wins in huge upset." Then, on Thursday it would read "Americans flee country."

Besides entertainment value, this would help us out a great deal. Our population density would go down, especially here in the blue state of California.

With all the people leaving, companies would not have to lay off as many people. And, there would be job openings for those who stay.

It looks to me that McCain is the best answer to our economic crisis.

You go cool-cat. Knock 'em dead (No pun intended).

Photo courtesy MCT Continue Reading>>

War and Politics

In the war of political campaigning there are no limits. Political ads flow through the airwaves every minute on television as voting day approaches and their content is based on pointing fingers at the evil guy-not necessarily on "educating" the public.

Presidential candidate John McCain's ads are solely focused on fingering Obama as a "terrorist ally" and Barack Obama's campaign ties McCain and George W. Bush, who will plunge the United States down the toilet.

Why do they act like bickering old ladies fighting at the supermarket for the last can of oatmeal and instead focusing on the real issues, the how to's and planning for a better future?

Obama is more centered on the issues than McCain at this point, but it goes to show that there is a fine line between war and politics.

Presidential candidates will lower their standards, finger point and bash their enemy to win political power and do nothing while in office- ah, glorious America. Continue Reading>>

Stop putting fliers on my windshield

The overwhelming majority of the time, whatever is placed on my car is something that is of no interest to me. The intent of the ad and its placement is good. However, 99 percent of the people who get the flier don't want to buy an underground, local rap CD, or go to a Halloween-themed, cat fashion show.

So in the end, thousands of paper is wasted and the people who maintain the parking lot have a lot of extra trash to pick up.

A creative alternative to mass marketing is a cool Internet site or using tools like networking to reach your target audience. So listen up you hopeful entrepreneurs, STOP PUTTING YOUR FLIERS ON MY CAR!!!!

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The Ultimate Dumb@%$ Student

Besides a boring class, there is nothing more annoying than a student who raises his hand roughly 100 times throughout the entire class period while you are trying to stay awake, sipping on a double-shot espresso and focus on what the professor is trying to say.

Think the student has a smart question to ask and raises his hand frequently because the topic is interesting?

Not.

The particular student in my class feels he knows it all and tries to outsmart the professor with questions and comments.

"Instructional Design" - a course that helps students design teaching methods, theories to help, adults in particular, how to learn.

Sounds exciting doesn't it?

The purpose of the course is to connect "Instructional Design" and "Digital Media" theories together - and Mr. Right does not seem to get the material yet.

"Excuse me professor, but that seems irrelevant to the material," he said.

I thought, "No loser, you just don't get it."

The three-hour class seems endless and with him raising his hand constantly.

I personally don't understand the material myself, but I do not raise my hand to constantly make a complete fool of myself. The professor's personal office hours were designed for that purpose. Continue Reading>>