91快色

Ron Glasberg is a 75-year-old Communications and Media professor who is constantly getting his students to think outside the box and ponder on the real meaning of life. It is not every day you hear a professor ask, 鈥淲hy are you taking this class?鈥�, to his students and have unexpected philosophical discussions that follow immediately after. 

A long-time professor with a reputation for thought-provoking lectures, Dr. Glasberg has shaped the minds of countless students over the past 30 to 40 years. With an impressive academic background and a deep passion for philosophy, history, and interdisciplinary learning, he has made a lasting impact on students across campus and continues to do so.  

Recently, we had the opportunity to interview Dr. Glasberg and learn about his passion for teaching. Here鈥檚 what he had to say!

What guides your teaching? 

R: I鈥檝e always been passionate about the integration of knowledge鈥攈elping students build confidence in their ability to comprehend complex ideas. At its core, my teaching is about exploring dualities, especially wisdom and folly. True wisdom requires self-reflection, which often means confronting the darkest parts of ourselves. I don鈥檛 claim to have all the answers, but I believe that as teachers, our role is to listen, to challenge, and to reflect our students back to themselves. Only through reflection can one truly "know thyself", as some old Greek once said. But being that mirror isn鈥檛 always easy鈥攕ometimes, the reflection is dark. Still, by embracing these challenges, we can create a learning environment that empowers students to think deeply and grow.

Are there any particular items or decorations in your office that hold special significance or reflect your journey in academia? 

R: This painting shows a monk looking over the bay. It has a timeless quality to it. I don鈥檛 completely understand why, but I wanted something to remind me of the home I came from. Even though I鈥檓 far from it now and so much time has passed, this keeps me grounded. 

Why do you think students appreciate your teaching?

R: My goal as a teacher isn鈥檛 to impose knowledge but to help students see their own genius. I believe they have the potential to change the world, just as Einstein did. The key is teaching them that they can. That doesn鈥檛 mean dictating how they should do it鈥攖hat would make me just another authoritarian figure. 

Instead, the real path is through conversation, through people learning to talk to each other. The ultimate proof of how good my teaching is how well my students have grown and become confident in their own abilities to do absolutely anything!

Would you say teaching is/was your dream job? 

R: My job is rare鈥攗sually, people in my position have written extensively or are deeply involved in administrative work. I focus more on teaching, while my colleagues juggle both. I admire their effort and feel guilty for not contributing as much in that way. But ultimately, I love my job, and that makes me feel guilty too, knowing that many others don鈥檛 have work they enjoy.

Have you faced criticism in your teaching style? 

R: When I first started teaching here, I was criticized for giving high grades鈥攁ccused of "grade inflation". I鈥檇 be called into an office and questioned about it. My response? Why not see it as inspiring students to do great work? I even invited them to read the essays themselves, but of course, no one wanted to go through 3,000 papers. 

In my Contemporary Culture class, for example, I received incredible pieces鈥攚orks of art, not just assignments. Almost three-quarters of the class earned A+ grades, not because I鈥檓 a pushover, but because they truly earned it. Maybe I got lucky, but I think the key was getting out of their way.

You're currently teaching COMS 401: Paranormal Communications鈥攄o you believe in the paranormal?

R: To me, the paranormal is everywhere- It鈥檚 not paranormal at all. I live in a world of coincidences. Take this moment: I was just reading an essay about Bangladesh, and now I鈥檓 speaking with both of you, who happen to be from South Asia. Out of thousands of essays, I read that one right before you arrived. That鈥檚 synchronicity鈥攁 paranormal experience in itself. 

I know you look skeptical, and that鈥檚 fair. The areas we doubt the most are often the ones worth exploring. Maybe something seems impossible鈥攂ut what if it isn鈥檛?

What's a fun fact about you that most of your students wouldn鈥檛 guess?  

R: One fun fact about me is that I read tarot cards and answer questions based on intuition. I have been practicing this for over 50 years, and I do it without any charge.  

Any final thoughts?

R: I appreciate all of the students, and I feel really lucky to teach every day. If I had one final message for fellow teachers, it would be this:

Have faith in your students. Step back, and you鈥檒l be surprised. It鈥檚 not easy鈥攊t took me time to learn鈥攂ut when you trust students to rise to the challenge, they will. 

Some might ask, "But what are you actually teaching them?", I respect that question. Traditional academic knowledge is important, but if we don鈥檛 also nurture their inner potential, we鈥檙e not doing enough.