Prof's/Classes I'd recommend to incoming freshmen

<p>There are many great professors at William & Mary, but I thought I would list a few that I as well as friends of mine really enjoyed.</p>

<p>Philosophy:
Tim Costelloe is a great young professor. He is engaging and gives a good foundation if you are interested in philosophy. I took ethics with him which I believe is a 300 level class, but I'm pretty sure he teaches lower level classes as well.</p>

<p>Anthropology:
Virginia Kearns - extremely sweet person who specializes in the history of anthropology. If you ever get a chance to take a class with her and are interested in both history and anthro. I would suggest taking her. I took an upperlevel with her and have heard from others who have taken lower level and upper level classes with her that they enjoyed the upper level ones better since she was able to maneuver better in her area of expertise.</p>

<p>Japan in Anthropology - I really enjoyed this cultural anthropology class. In fact it was probably one of my favorite classes at wm. The professor I took it with was filling in for Tomoko, but I'm sure she would do a good job as well now that she has returned. </p>

<p>Intro. to Cultural Anthropology is a good Anthro. class to start out with if you have an interest in the subject matter. Many students like Intro to Archaeology as well.
History:</p>

<p>If you have any interest in history like myself (I was a history major), I would suggest taking at least one class with Dale Hoak. He is one of the best lecturers I have ever had the opportunity to listen to. It's almost poetic the way he is able to take you to another time period and make the subject matter come alive. He teaches Tudor England, Stuart England, and for freshmen I know he teaches Western Civ.
Another great history professor who will make a profound impact on the way you perceive the world is Professor Robert Vinson. A class which is available to freshmen that he teaches is the History of South Africa. He expects alot out of you, but if you are willing to put forth a strong effort I can assure you that you will be rewarded for it.<br>
A professor I never had, but have heard many good things about is Prof. Wittenburg. I've heard he teaches an excellent freshman seminar.</p>

<p>Good idea, but we should probably hold off on this, since 2013 won't be registering until July/August.</p>

<p>no props for Kris Lane? awesome history professor.</p>

<p>just throwing that one out there b/c you listed three others. I had many great professors at W&M, and only 1 or 2 bad ones.</p>

<p>You're right, it is definitely a tad bit early. However, while the specifics may not be completely pertinent at the moment perhaps the info i've provided can provide some insight into some of the possibilities to look forward to next fall. I agree with you though, the specifics in terms of scheduling should be discussed more in depth at a later time.</p>

<p>Haha, sorry I never had Prof. Lane but heard some really good things about him. He specializes in latin american history right? I fulfilled that requirement by taking hist. of India. Good to see another '08 grad on here by the way!</p>

<p>actually, i don't care if this is a bit early. i'm already starting to look through teh course catalog to see what classes i want to take... and i'm actually really interested in anthropology, so thanks tribe1693.</p>

<p>I'm glad you started this thread since I am also looking at potential classes.</p>

<p>No problem arasam22 and CharlieBrown, if you guys have any questions I'll do my best to get back to you.</p>

<p>
[quote]
If you have any interest in history like myself (I was a history major), I would suggest taking at least one class with Dale Hoak. He is one of the best lecturers I have ever had the opportunity to listen to. It's almost poetic the way he is able to take you to another time period and make the subject matter come alive. He teaches Tudor England, Stuart England, and for freshmen I know he teaches Western Civ.

[/quote]
Apparently Professor Hoak will be retiring at the end of the upcoming semester. He gave a farewell lecture in November, though I understand he is teaching at least one class this spring.</p>

<p>I wonder if Hoak will throw a big bash like Wiseman... probably not. I am sad to have missed that.</p>

<p>if you are out of the loop, go to webshots and search for "wiseman + blowout"</p>

<p>My oldest d is a 2005 grad. She still talks about her Freshman Seminar on Emerging Diseases, taught by Beverly Sher, as being the hands-down best class she's ever taken. There was a huge reading requirement, and d wound up writing a 20-page paper that she's still proud of.</p>

<p>It's hard to get the freshman seminar you want when you register for your first semester. You do have the option of taking this requirement second semester of freshman year. At Parents Weekend this fall, we met Dr. Sher's husband, Marc Sher, who is a physics professor at W & M. He acknowledged that the emerging diseases class is usually snapped up immediately during registration for the fall (our youngest d had wanted the class, but was closed out). He told us that the class is also offered during second semester, when fewer freshmen are trying to fulfill the requirement, and that there are usually spots open then.</p>

<p>Btw, Dr. Marc Sher gave a very engaging and enjoyable lecture to the parents on the Geneva supercollider. He promised that no prior scientific knowledge was required to understand him, and he wasn't kidding. Even this scientific idiot could follow his funny but still academically solid presentation. I'd be interested in what any posters who've had him for physics might have to share about his classes.</p>