hexecute's comments

On: CS 161 – Computer Security – Syllabus and important notes [pdf]

[hexecute]

I don't know about merely strict.

"If you are disabled and require special arrangements for exams, you must contact the instructor with full documentation by 5PM, August 30. The alternate exam will be an oral exam, closed-book, closed-note, cumulative over all class material and will be scheduled at 9AM on Sunday, December 15."

[001sky → hexecute]

I think its clear the Prof is being slightly 'Darwinian' in his approach to teaching the class. But its a bit of a streatch to call this "degrading".

closed-book, closed-note, cumulative over all class material and will be scheduled at 9AM

Sounds like a real-world job interview, no?

I think the bar for "degrading" behaviour in academia should be set higher than something that would be everyday normal in "the real world".

[hexecute → 001sky]

Except it's only for disabled students. Regular students get the normal exams, so it's literally "slightly Darwinian"

[001sky → hexecute]

I think you are missing the context. In the US (Berkeley) this is an almost certainlyadministrative accomodation (ie, a favour) required by law to make the test "more accessible". Which is code for easier.

Providing exams for disabled students is not degrading, if such accomodations are helpful. Other forms of accomodataion (eg, relaxing of standards or deadlines) may reasonably be subject to abuse, in the absence of direct oversight. Etc.

If there were some actual evidence this was an act of intimidation or "humiliation" it would be interesting to see such supported. In all likelihood, it would probably lead to a situation of legal jeapordy for the University.