I teach, and have often taught, two courses at the University of Hartford: Introduction to Literature and Introduction to Creative Writing.

Both courses are requirements, as I understand it. Students must take the Intro to Lit, and they must take a writing intensive course, such as Intro to Creative Writing. It seems to me many take the creative writing course not for an interest in writing but for a perceived ease.

I appreciate the challenge inherent in teaching courses populated with students indifferent to the material and/or the university.

It's one thing to teach material to students interested in the material or in learning, and it's another altogether to teach material to students indifferent to the material or to learning.

While I appreciate this challenge, it also frustrates me. I think it'd be nice to teach courses with students who wanted to be there, who cared about the material, who cared about learning, who cared about being at the university.

The educational system has done such an effective job at producing drones. And it's demoralizing.

I'd like to teach courses with students who cared about literature and writing. I'd like to teach courses with students who understood the difference between receiving a schooling and pursuing an education. O, what heights we'd hit.