How to drive your professor crazy
Ask her a question that combines two topics, one from her class, one from any other. Eg. a question in torts or property that includes a little civil procedure. The professor, deeply confused, will act annoyed and announce "Mr. X, this isn't a civil procedure class" -- as if you didn't know that -- and move on.

Translation: "Mr. X, I've had the same amount of civil procedure training as you, except mine was 20 years ago and I probably didn't get as good a grade. That's why I teach this course. Don't make me humiliate myself."

WARNING! Your professor may have taught classes in the past you're not aware of. Maybe your constitutional law professor taught civil procedure. In which case they will do a judo chop and knock you flat on your ass.

How to make your professor's day
Ask her a question that combines two topics, one from her class, one from any upper level class she also teaches. This requires a little advance research. For example, if your torts teacher also has a land use class, ask about how zoning laws interact with toxic torts. The professor will smile broadly and say "Mr. X, that's a great question. It's one I cover in my upper level class, which some of you may want to take. But the short answer is ... "

28 Feb 05