For what it's worth, this seems like a fine question. I am in the habit of asking what some might call "beginner-ish" questions in areas I am not hugely familiar with; however, I have been here for ages and people see the rep and give me the opportunity to ask such questions. Someone who is a completely fresh user should be treated with at least the benefit of the doubt, and when more context turns up, but it is not a perfect process. My only humble suggestion would have been to explicitly give some context in the question up front (eg "I am teaching a grad topics course, and ....") — David Roberts yesterday
