A prestigious Harvard Business School professor is facing scrutiny after students revealed his marketing course has become notorious for awarding exceptionally high grades, with some calling it virtually "impossible to fail."
The 'Easy A' Phenomenon
Professor Das Narayandas, who holds the prestigious Edsel Bryant Ford Professorship of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, teaches the popular 'Field Course: Marketing' that has developed a reputation among students as a guaranteed grade booster.
According to multiple student accounts, the course consistently delivers remarkably high marks, with some claiming the average grade approaches an A-minus. "You'd have to actively try to get below an A-minus," one student anonymously confessed.
Academic Integrity Concerns
The situation raises serious questions about grade inflation and academic standards at one of the world's most elite educational institutions. With Harvard's reputation for rigorous academic excellence, the allegations suggest potential inconsistencies in grading practices across different departments.
Professor Narayandas, who also serves as senior associate dean for Harvard Business School's external relations, has built a distinguished career spanning decades in marketing education and research.
Student Perspectives
Current and former students describe the course as:
- Known for minimal workload compared to other Harvard courses
- Focused primarily on group projects rather than rigorous individual assessment
- Consistently delivering high grades regardless of performance quality
- Popular among students seeking to balance more demanding course loads
Broader Implications
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for higher education, as institutions face increasing pressure to maintain academic rigour while managing student expectations and satisfaction. The situation at Harvard raises questions about whether prestigious universities are maintaining consistent standards across all departments and courses.
Harvard University has yet to issue an official statement regarding the grading practices in Professor Narayandas's marketing course, leaving students and academic observers questioning whether this represents an isolated incident or a broader trend in business education.
