Photography 101?

So I signed up a photography class here in Elk Grove a couple weeks ago. The first day we went over color theory, opposite colors, color fatigue...all that good stuff I have already been taught. So I talk to the prof after class and ask if we will be going over lighting techniques for photo shoots (which is what I really wanted to learn) and she explains they won't go over that in this class. I might be able to do a studio day with my prof and learn some lighting stuff, but then I would have to finish taking the class. After I have spent four separate hours four different days getting books, registering and other crap for this class. So do I stay with the one day a week four hour long class, or do I drop it? And furthermore, do I actually put effort in this class and go for an A or B or am I beyond grades that demonstrate my self worth?

~Josh