[ykonstant]

That is unfortunately true; not only in the US, but all around the world. The particulars do depend on the instructor, and many if not most instructors try to be motivational, but the syllabus is perfectly clear: "this is a weed out class". And when it comes to test time, the syllabus wins.

The only thing I disagree with in your comment is about the instructors: they want to be employed, and they have to accept the syllabus and testing standards. It is not about passion and ability to teach (most, especially younger ones, are full of those); it is about meeting the departmental requirements.