hikids

If it is a discussion class/seminar, I would guess you have a problem. You can ask, but the odds are low. The problem is that there are always people who don't follow whatever the rules are then want to change them in their favor later on, which will then disadvantage those that followed the rules (participated). It is one of the harder lessons in life. I have been teaching for over 30 years, some classes participation is very important and is a big percent of the grade, and for others it is not. I would not change the rules.

bluemountaineer

I think the above posters are a bit harsh. If the student has a 4.0, he or she apparently comes to classes prepared. They also indicated they have been doing well in the written portion of the class. The issue seems to be more the student's confidence in public speaking.
I was once in a very-discussion based class, and there were two very shy, but extremely intelligent, students in the class. The prof didn't make exceptions, necessarily, but tried to facilitate the student's participation and give them a little help. For example, the prof would direct a specific question directly to the quiet student, so that the student would be able to participate before the rest of the loudmouths started talking.

It can't hurt to express your concern to the prof. If you are mature and humble about it, he may try to help you out, or give you advice for improving your participation. Also, it would be more proactive to approach him instead of emailing.

OKgirl

Is he keeping a score sheet with who has talked each class time?

Asking him to waive the participation grade would be pretty much be equal to asking him if he can waive a test grade because you didn't want to take it.

A better way of going about this would be to go to his office hours and simply ask if he can tell you your grade in the class and how you are doing on the participation grade. Be subtle about it and leave the "waive the grade" and "4.0 GPA" dicussion out of it. You probably don't even need to worry about it, but from now on, start talking in the discussions because that could save your grade! I really have a hard time believing that you have never once joined in on the discussions.

ticklemepink

My professor talked about class participation at the beginning of the semester. He counted office hours, in-class questions, and Blackboard discussion all part of the grade. So if you're already talking to him via office hours, there's nothing to worry about. He just needs to know that you're at least engaged with the class in some other way besides those papers and tests.

Waiving a grade, any grade, is literally a big fat no-no. My class just tried to throw a coup over the final but he said that he couldn't exempt us from the final because of the department requirement that we had to have some kind of final. Class participation might also be part of your department's grading standards- look at other history courses' syllabi. If they all say class participation, then it's the standard for the department and the professor CANNOT waive it.

Be honest iwth your professor that you don't like to speak up in class and want to make sure you're doing okay on that 30% aspect. He's probably already suspected that you're not a big talker by now anyway.

apumic

I agree that approaching a professor with humility and asking what can be done to raise one's grade is a GREAT idea, but approaching him or her asking for exceptions is NOT such a great idea.

Most profs who ask for participation and base your grade on it simply want to see an effort to participate -- this can include a variety of things, but really you simply need to show that you are actively engaged in the class. I agree with previous posters who have said to talk with your professor to see how you could improve your grade. Most will have every desire for you to succeed, but by waiting until the end of the semester like you have, you have placed yourself in a poor position for such requests at best.

ginnyvere

Yeah, you shouldn't go in now and ask for it to be waived. It's probably not going to be a problem. In my experience, 1) Participation is a codeword for "I'd like a little wiggle room with grading", and 2) Professors generally only use it to help a student who is struggling. I can't imagine that any professor would take an A student and grade them down because of participation.

chuy

You know, I don't really think that tests or quizzes should be part of my Calc grade. I came every day and took notes, and even spoke up when I had a question. Why should one meaningless category pull me down?

And you're probably fine. Especially if it's a large class.

Vail

Yeah, same here. Basically, I just would ask one or two questions to kinda make sure the prof knows my face, show up to every class (and not sleep, natch) and I'd be fine. If you're worried about it, just suddenly start showing up right after class and asking him an intelligent question or two, he should remember that and give you a high participation grade.

So I'd recommend not worrying about it, if you go to class, you get good grades, you should be fine. Now, if you wind up getting a bad grade in the class after getting all A's & B's on the papers and final, then is the time to take it up with him -- or his boss.

TheKid4740

30% seems like a lot for just participation. But...

Suck it up. You knew the rules, and you chose not to work towards the 30%. And you think you deserve special treatment because of a 4.0? Give me a break.