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I would like some advice about a conflict I am having in a graduate course taught by two professors. I am pursuing a masters (MS) degree in Finance and for the capstone course in the program, each group (3-4) students is required to complete an individual research project.

The professors responsible for the course both have PhDs in Finance but in slightly different research areas. My team-mates both insist that we only work with the professor who is more specialized/knowledgeable in our area.

As the course is taught by both professors equally, I feel it is important to keep both professors abreast of our progress. I feel fairly confident that both have equal weight in evaluating us and I don't want to slight either. How should I explain this fact to my team members as I am the leader of our team?

For additional background, my team members are all from China whose academic culture is wholly different from Western standards.

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    Ask the two professors what they want you to do. – mkennedy Nov 28 '14 at 0:21
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    @mkennedy I don't thats a viable option. Naturally both professors will probably say to work with them both. Also simply by asking can be considered a slight as it implies a disrespect of their academic knowledge and status – Anthony Nov 28 '14 at 0:56
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    Naturally both professors will probably say to work with them both — So then you have your answer. Why is that unrealistic? – JeffE Nov 28 '14 at 2:24
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    Also simply asking can be a slight — [citation needed] — as it implies a disrespect of their academic knowledge and starus — [citation needed] – JeffE Nov 28 '14 at 2:26
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    Faculty want to help you, @Anthony, it's their job. – Anonymous Physicist Nov 29 '14 at 5:18
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To expand the comments above into an answer: ask the professors what they think is a good idea, ideally both at the same time (e.g., at the end of a class where they are both there). You have less chance of coming off as disrespectful, since you approach from the perspective of a student desiring guidance. If they say you should work with both, then that's probably a fine plan to follow as well.

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