The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, April 23, 1998, Page 3, Image 3
Professor teaches with alternative methods ByRebeckaHyde Staff Reporter For Ann Mari May, teaching and learning alternative viewpoints in education is like view ing a sculpture. ‘To understand it, you have to view it from a variety of angles,” said May, a UNL associate professor of economics. Tth worth considering even though it’s different and sometimes it's uncomfortable.” May spends each class day challenging her students to think critically about economics in history and its relationship with gender. And University of Nebraska-Lincoln stu dents rise to her challenge; not one student has called her course “easy” on an evaluation, but her upper-division classes always are full. One alumna said the classes make students desire to leam more. As a result, May received the University of Nebraska Outstanding Teaching and Instructional Creativity Award this year. But the recognition and its $3,500 stipend haven’t slowed her pace. May’s enthusiasm for academia is still going strong, both inside and outside the classroom. “In this freeze-dried culture where every thing is presented to students in the easiest way possible,” May said, “it’s not an easy task to get students to think critically.” That’s where her instructional creativity comes in. May takes risks, she said, and isn’t afraid to try something different to make stu dents think. May doesn’t think this is the secret to filling her classes, though. The subject matter is just interesting. Economics is a very theoretical field. But May teaches economic history, Which combines theory with reality and is more captivating, she said. When she isn't teaching, she attends univer sity committee meetings, works on reports for the committees or tries to finish a scholarly abstract or another type of paper - even when she’s on vacation. “I look forward to vacation because I get a chance to get more work done," May said. As part of her contribution to campus diver sity, May developed a new course, Women and Work in the U.S. Economy, which examines women’s economic roles since the nation’s founding. Students in the class complete both traditional class assignments and undergraduate research projects that apply facts and statistics on gender and economy to die real world. For instance, students first learn about occu pational segregation- the traditional division of labor along gender lines - in the classroom. Then students must go to a M- mechanic’s garage or call a bank and _ , f interview employees on whether Its not an easy task to get occupational segregation plays a j f . i If ,, role in their workplaces. Suddenly, StUCl€1ttS to think critically. the harsh reality of occupational segregation and people’s aversion to Ann Mari May dealing with it appear, associate professor of economics “Often (students) get hung up _—on, or people refuse to talk to them,” May said. “Amazing things happen when they get out there.” Most days mere is noming mat l would ratner be doing (than working), although I think I’d like more opportunities to do more on campus.” A lot of work lingers on campus in two very important areas: encouraging faculty members’ talents and building diversity, she said. The university needs to provide more incen tives for faculty members to do well, and post tenure review doesn’t do that, she said. “The faculty are the heart of the university,” she said. “We need to be more employee friendly and build that into our management structure. “The trend is away from that” May also said the university must make seri ous changes in how it deals with diversity. i ms Kina oi mgenuity m teaching has creat ed a lasting impact on students, including Milissa Johnson-Wiles, a UNL alumna and Lincoln attorney. “One of the things that impressed me the most was her ability to connect to the students and make them interested,” Johnson-Wiles said. “In most classes you go in and information is regurgitated for you, but she would point out things to relate the whole picture.” Johnson-Wiles said she almost changed her major after taking three of May’s classes. In the end, the desire to become a lawyer won out. But Johnson-Wiles still remembers May’s excitement and love of her field. “You graduate college and there are profes John Houghton/DN AM| MAM MAY, uttflitt prsfesser if we* nearics at IIML, stands beneath a campas scalptare. May recently received the ufiHForsny or morasxa utnstanmng isacniivg and tastracttonal Creativity Awards. sors who you remember more than others,” Johnson-Wiles said. “She was one of those pro fessors who had an impact” I Credit card scandal Two people tried to defraud a department , store out of more than $2,000 in. gift certificates with two.. xr^fadce credit cards. * ^ JsK f- ? ' 'A man and a woman fried to use questionable Hughes Aircraft Employees Federal Credit Union I - Visa cards to purchase thousands of Si dollars of Sears gift certificates Tuesday afternoon, Lincoln Police Sgt. Ann Heermann said. The couple split up and went to different departments of the store trying to buy the gift certificates. The cards would not read when swiped through credit card scanners. However, when the account numbers were punched in by hand, the accounts were recognized but not approved. The man tried to buy $1,000 in gift certificates in the computer department before trying the same thing, unsuccessfully, in the paint department. When an employee.started to question the man, he fled the store , and was seen getting into a Chevrolet ; minivan outside. r ^ He is described as a dark-haired white male in his late 20s, 5 feet 7 inches tall and 150 pounds. The woman fared about as well with her card. After trying unsuccessfully to buy the gift certificates in two departments, she also was confront ed. When asked for identification the woman flashed a driver’s license and left the store. She was later seen entering the same minivan as the man. She is as 5 feet 5 inches tall, in her mid 20s and 110 pounds. No loss was reported by the store, and both credit cards were seized. Wednesday’s Page One story. Though Forsythe stepped down as __ chairman of the political science department, he is still a professor A reference to political science at the university and on leave in professor David Forsythe may Europe this semester. haveL been misinterpreted in V' • m m 1<-*U R„ c; ‘ If your friends store with us they’ll receive a 10% DISCOUNT with their ' student I.D. Aardvark Self Storage Infinity Storage 1542 So. 1st 475-2464 L- ..I ' ... ... ..I Exceptional selection of engagement and wedding rings, extraordinary values and passionate service. For a complimentary Engagement Package, call L800.642.GIFT ■ ' •:. * f^ ; : •. ;; . i-tr T*P& kfe: • J '