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Song Analysis

Hooked on Hooky

Ah, the art of playing hooky. Oh yes, it is definitely an art, requiring years of skill and practice to master. Now one might ask, why would someone go and practice skipping out on school? To me, this is a simple answer, and almost lifelong philosophy. However, the idea of students missing class is not favorable in the eyes of WVU faculty and administration. Where’s the real harm in missing a few classes? It’s a classic battle of good versus evil this Sunday, Sunday, Sunday…ok, so this isn’t a monster truck match-up, but the debate students carry on with their professors over attendance policies is a big one, and sure to be around for a long time.

First let’s start by identifying the problem. The university has instituted a policy that requires its professors to set up attendance policies that “…are appropriate for the goals and instructional strategies of their courses.” This, however, isn’t the real problem. Under wording like this, a teacher can set up a policy that requires students to not be in class every day, but, for example, would send students to a local newspaper to go out in the field with reporters for a journalism class. I will dive in a little later as to what could constitute as “going to class.” The real problem with the current attendance policy is the little details that stick out everywhere like thorns on a rosebush. These details include a part where documentation of illness will not guarantee excuse of absence. I can see where this would cause some concern, but those cases where a teacher would not excuse an absence for a documented illness or injury, that is a case better taken up with the teacher, and not the policy of the university.

Other than the above concern, WVU’s attendance policy does more to help students than hinder them. It can be seen in the beginning of the policy that WVU is taking student interest in mind, stating that class attendance contributes to academic success, and that’s what people come to college for anyway, academic success. It does make sense that, the more you go to class, the more you can potentially learn. Now is where I come back to what defines going to class? As Michael Lastinger states, “A philosophy class could have a very different approach to learning than, say, a class in orchestra performance (or in my case language). One may rely on individual reflection, the other on regular interaction among students with the instructor.” Teachers may require more small group interaction outside of class between a few classmates, or through the use of technology, decide to hold class online through bulletin board discussions or chat programs. There are also classes I often see in engineering that assign projects for the students to complete by a deadline, and use the lecture time for guidance on the principles that revolve around the project. Many of these examples are regarded as my age-old enemy, homework, but I see all of these as attending class. Whether home or not, I’m still doing work for a class, so I consider myself to be in class.

I think my view is similar to Grant Brower when he said, “If a student is capable of performing acceptably, attendance, or lack thereof, should not mandate a lower grade.” I am a night owl. If I could, I would be awake between the hours of 3pm and 8am only. Last time I checked however, WVU didn’t offer any classes at 2am. This is where classes that take advantage of online resources really begin to become beneficial to me, and can continue to do so in a work environment, should I find a telecommuting job. But as I defined “going to class” before, this would not make me truant from any class. So then why am I still against class attendance? It could have to do with my erratic lifestyle, or maybe it’s that I learn best by asking my own questions and finding my own answers. Or it could just be that someone needs to play the game, for all the fun it can provide, that magical game of hooky.