Pass/Failing a class

Due, I think, to the nature of the MDiv degree at Gordon-Conwell, where nearly every class you take is mandatory, we are allowed to take 4 classes as “pass/fail” courses. Basically this means that you would fulfill your requirement by passing the class, but it would be taken out of the equation when determining your GPA.

Now, I’ve never been one to worry myself about my GPA. Either I liked a class or I didn’t, and my grade reflected that accordingly, and that was that. But lately… how you say – there has been no direct correlation between my interest in the class and my grade in the class. I love all my classes, more or less. I’m finally getting the education I’ve been wanting for 10 years! But these classes, they’re hard. Suddenly the best grade correlation is how much time and effort I dedicate to the class. Eww.

Take Greek, for example. The school recommends an average of 3 hours spent outside of class for every hour spent in class. For Greek, that means 9 hours a week focused on 4 pages of very widely spaced text, and 15 or so flash cards. For theology, that same 9 hours is distributed across 200 or so pages of theology text, which pages I can probably finish in less than 9 actual hours. But for Greek, I need all nine hours to maintain, say, a C.

I like Greek. I kid you not. I am very desirous that Greek doesn’t turn into one of those languages that you studdied in school, and then never think about again. I anticipate doing my daily Bible reading in Greek sometime in the future. But in the mean time, I have these 4 floating holidays called pass/fail courses. They’re like little get out of jail free cards. You can use them at any time in the game, but once the game is over, they’re worthless. Since I have ’em, I might as well use ’em.

So it has occurred to me: There is no possibility that Greek can improve my GPA. Not only is the class hard, but they’ve fiddled with the grading system by switching to a 7-point scale (93% = B), effectively making the class 3% harder when it comes to grades. Secondly, there is no class as likely to harm my GPA. Considering these two factors, it seems that, if I am going to use these pass/fail options, there would be no better time to cash in than on this class. Friday of this week is the last day to file a pass/fail petition. I’m pretty sure this would be a good idea.
So how come I feel like a sneak?

Author: KB French

Formerly many things, including theology student, mime, jr. high Latin teacher, and Army logistics officer. Currently in the National Guard, and employed as a civilian... somewhere View all posts by KB French