Nontraditional Students, Accelerated Programs, Grade Expectations, and Instructor Evaluations

Journal of Legal Studies in Business, Vol. 23, No. 2, Summer/Fall 2006

38 Pages Posted: 23 May 2010 Last revised: 24 May 2010

See all articles by Pamela Gershuny

Pamela Gershuny

Southeast Missouri State University - Donald L. Harrison College of Business

Carolyn Rainey

Southeast Missouri State University

Date Written: May 22, 2010

Abstract

This article is intended as both a cautionary tale and an encouraging guide for instructors who are beginning to teach in accelerated programs designed to attract nontraditional students. This paper is based, in part, on classroom action research conducted through surveys, observations, exams, and assessments, in an introductory business law course taught in two different universities. Initially, this paper seeks to define and examine the particular issues of the nontraditional student using demographic and anecdotal data gathered on nontraditional students at the University of Cincinnati and traditional students at Southeast Missouri State University. Special attention is given to the role of gender and role strain in nontraditional students. Role strain has 3 dimensions: 1) role conflict from simultaneous, incompatible demands, 2) role overload (insufficient time to meet all demands), and 3) role contagion or preoccupation with one role while performing another. The paper also examines the relationship between grade expectations/grade inflation and instructor evaluations

Keywords: Nontraditional Students, Pedagogy, Undergraduates, Role Strain, Role Overload, Role Conflict, Role Contagion, Instructor Evaluations, Grade Inflation

JEL Classification: A22

Suggested Citation

Gershuny, Pamela and Rainey, Carolyn, Nontraditional Students, Accelerated Programs, Grade Expectations, and Instructor Evaluations (May 22, 2010). Journal of Legal Studies in Business, Vol. 23, No. 2, Summer/Fall 2006, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1613205

Pamela Gershuny (Contact Author)

Southeast Missouri State University - Donald L. Harrison College of Business ( email )

United States
(573)651-2097 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://cstl-hcb.semo.edu/gershuny

Carolyn Rainey

Southeast Missouri State University ( email )

1 University Plaza
Cape Girardeau, MO MO 63701
United States

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