Class participation problems

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I'm currently in my last semester of college and as long as I pass all my classes, I will be able to graduate in December. However, 3 out of the 4 classes I have to take this semester are heavily based in participation, and one of them requires daily active participation in class discussions. This class is called Senior Seminar and it is basically the class that is supposed to test all of the knowledge that we have learned in our majors. For every class we are required to have student-lead discussions (each student has to lead at least three 20 minute discussions during the semester). These discussions are supposed to be about random articles and book chapters that the teacher has assigned. My problems are that 1) the articles are heavily based in abstract theories (I'm a Sociology major), and I can't seem to understand anything about them; and 2) I'm supposed to participate in discussions about these articles that I don't understand. There are no tests in this class, to pass this class I have to be able to do these class discussions. I am not good at speaking in front of people at all. I suffer from panic attacks when forced to speak in class, I start noticeably sweating and shaking, my voice goes into a barely audible monotone where all I can manage to get out is fast-paced mumbling, I can't look at anyone...all this coupled with the fact that I don't even understand what I am supposed to be discussing in this class.

This is the third week of classes and I'm still the only one in class who has not said anything and I can tell the teacher is starting to notice because she is keeping track of who is participating. She is beginning to single people out who haven't done a lot of participating and I know I'm going to be next to be put on the spot.

I know it is unreasonable for me to ask for alternative assignments in place of class participation, so how should I deal with this situation?

You may ask for alternative assignments, if that is available. If not, you can surely think of something to say. Surely throughout your years of college you have picked up on some key ideas in Sociology (social stratification, culture, values, etc.) or are aware of some of the important figures (Weber, Marx, Durkheim, etc.) or important studies in sociology (Stanley Milgram electrical shocks, etc.); just talk about those if nothing else. I've taken an English seminar course before (as a freshman), and I enjoyed it. Try to speak grammatically correct, since this is a college course. There's no need for you to grasp the conversation on an social level. What college would penalize a student for seemingly being intellectually disinterested or stoic? Offer some intellectual insights that include some references to something someone else said; try to remember what someone said word for word so that you can mention it when it is your turn to speak (this does show that you are listening and that you are aware on an intellectual level of what everyone else is saying).

I had a lot of problems with class discussions in high school. I tried approaching it from a number of different ways. I would focus on the things that I did know, however few they might be, and listen carefully for any comment that might naturally lead into what I wanted to talk about. I would also take advantages of breaks in the conversation to steer the topic of discussion towards areas of comfort.

Another thing I did was listen for someone to express a view that was based on opinion, not on fact. I could then disagree with them and take the opposite view (even if it's not what I actually personally believed) and get into the discussion that way.

Just one more thing. If you're really having problems, then it is definitely not unreasonable to ask for an alternative assignment. I don't advocate using AS as an excuse to get out of anything you don't really feel like doing, but if you really and truly feel that you are not capable of this, let your teacher know. Better your teacher realize you have a problem with discussions than think that you are just lazy or not paying attention.

I was wondering if you ever told your professor about your AS and other problems that you have. It might be a good idea to tell him/her so that he/she can see and understand that you have this disorder, in which certain characteristics such as communication skills are difficult at some times. Maybe, you and the professor can work something out. Just an idea for you.

i can relate very well to this topic....


i'm in fine art...and there are lots and lots of cratiques on peices of artwork peers and such along with masters such as picasso and leonardo divinci. that requries lots of discussions.
and frankely i am no good at that. i definitly have opinions about the pieces...but i fear that if i say something it may come out wrong or it may not come across as relavant at all.
so often i just remain silent. but in my fear of that, people would find me, well, selfish.
and when i do say something i get a nervious

and i stumble at my words, just the other day i said "orgin" but the first part of the word sounded like "oarnge"
oops.
i guess it just holds alot of fear from me. but if they want to hear me say something....they will have to deal with my faults because i can't help it.
and that will just have to be that

Class Participation is not very hard to do for me and it is fun to do because you can express your feelings about the subject they are discussing in class.

I'm also graduating in December so I want to wish you well!

As far as participation, just bite down and do it. It was never easy for me, but I knew it was necessary. Remind yourself, just a couple months and you are a GRADUATE!! !

Just participate as much as you can no matter what. I know it is difficult but just do it anyways. It can help you bulid confidence in yourself. Participate even if you are wrong.