That is absolutely how performance management works in every large corporation. You set "SMART" goals, and then you periodically review how you're progressing t

That is absolutely how performance management works in every large corporation. You set "SMART" goals, and then you periodically review how you're progressing to those goals. You have a point that in life sometimes, particularly in creative tasks, goals are unclear. But goals aren't unclear in a college class that hundreds of students take per year. In fact the goals generally should be listed on a website before you even apply for the course.