Yeah, I agree that there are some academics who are really not good or suited to teaching. In fact many academic jobs that aren't specifically "lecturer" jobs don't even ask about teaching experience. I'm going into my 2nd post-doctorate and the only teaching experience I've had was back before I was doing my PhD and tutored undergrads for a bit of cash (I didn't even learn how to prepare a course!). I'm actually a bit annoyed about that because I actually really enjoy teaching, and although I also enjoy research I think I would really quite like to be a bit more well-rounded on that side. But I think that a lot of this can be solved through education of faculty staff in how to actually teach. Some universities actually have this, the university I am going to be working at from next month has a course I can attend that will teach me how to teach, and although I've done it ad hoc before, I think I will definitely get something out of it, since although I enjoy teaching, I don't really know how to plan a course. And I think these sorts of courses really should not be a one-off either: people do get "stale" after a few years if they're continually doing the same things every year.
However, I think you're being a bit melodramatic about the system. Or perhaps the US system just really does suck, because I really enjoyed doing my undergrad degree in Australia, and really felt as though it gave me more than "a piece of paper" for a job (I wasn't really originally going to go into academia, I wanted to do other things, and sort of fell into academia sideways). I also felt as though the teaching was really vital: if not just in content, but in imparting enthusiasm and interest in a particular subject.
Anyway I can't really comment on the credit stuff since I have NFI about the US system.
Sorry you've become so disillusioned by universities and such, because around the world there are still some academics who actually give a shit about quality teaching and research. Perhaps you should broaden your horizons and look outside the US?
However, I think you're being a bit melodramatic about the system. Or perhaps the US system just really does suck, because I really enjoyed doing my undergrad degree in Australia, and really felt as though it gave me more than "a piece of paper" for a job (I wasn't really originally going to go into academia, I wanted to do other things, and sort of fell into academia sideways). I also felt as though the teaching was really vital: if not just in content, but in imparting enthusiasm and interest in a particular subject.
Anyway I can't really comment on the credit stuff since I have NFI about the US system.
Sorry you've become so disillusioned by universities and such, because around the world there are still some academics who actually give a shit about quality teaching and research. Perhaps you should broaden your horizons and look outside the US?