I'm outside the US, at a well-respected university. The system isn't quite the same, but I am roughly the equivalent of a permanent, full-time instructor: no research requirements. Me, and others with my status, teach 10 classes per semester for 2 semesters. It works out at 20 teaching hours per week. Classes have between 20 to 35 students each. There are minimum 3 assignments to mark per class. The classes are mostly distinct from each other. Overall I'd say it amounts to creating and prepping 7 fully different classes every year if you're very strategic with finding overlap.
Admin wants to increase to 11 classes per semester, which seems unmanageable to me. But other colleagues, though not delighted, seem more resigned, less overwhelmed at the prospect. I'm not sure what to make of it. I do know that students often tell me they like my classes because "we don't just follow the textbook", which makes me think this might be how other teachers are managing to get by.
What do you think? Is this normal?