ENGL GR6135

One play a week, weekly reading reflections, 2 short papers, open note final exam

Platt is among the kindest, most engaging, encouraging, supportive, special professors I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. To not take his class would be a disservice to yourself.

Perhaps she is good in a seminar, but her lecture course was the worst English class I have ever taken. I am not an english major, but those of my friends who are thought that she was even worse than I did. She seemed scared of the class, was the only one laughing at her own jokes, was the most boring lecturer I've had in any department, and most importantly, Professor Peters did not raise any interesting points in her lecture. I have never disliked a class as much as this one. Stay away. There are too many good professors in the department to waste your time with this one (at least in a lecture format).

Eisendrath is the most attentive, knowledgeable, understanding, funny, and fascinating professor I've ever had. She leads really engaging discussions, knows everything about the Renaissance, and spends so many hours writing paper comments. Her passion for all things 1600s is palpable and that's really important when taking English requirements you ordinarily wouldn't have signed up for. The course goes beyond just the literature. She gives you an in-depth look at the history and politics surrounding each play. I recommend taking any course with Rachel Eisendrath.

Medium/Manageable Two papers (which I found quite fun). You read one play per week. I will be honest, the midterm and final suck (R Drama only had a final, though I think sometimes it has a midterm). Few people really bomb his exams, but you have to study VERY hard. You are required to identify quotes, so make sure to note down EVERY QUOTE MENTIONED IN CLASS (all of them!!!!!!!!!!) Still worth it I promise I just hate exams!

Took both Ren Drama and Shakespeare II with Platt. An incredible professor who can bring any play to life. Brilliant and very encouraging to his students, most agree he's one of the best at Barnard. Gives detailed comments on all papers. Nothing excites him more than excited students, and because Renaissance Drama isn't the most mainstream topic, it tends to attract some of the best and brightest in the university imo (Shakespeare can be more of a mixed bag in terms of peers, but you'll always have at least a few great voices to carry the convo (and ofc Platt to elevate things)). Each week he begins with a short lecture, and then the rest of class 1 and the entirety of class 2 are a structured discussion (I'm normally not a discussion gal, but these hit DIFFERENT). You must read a play a week, which is difficult but manageable. Most of the plays, while short enough to skim in a bind, are rich, captivating, and an absolute pleasure to sink your teeth into if you can spare the hours. The people who shouldn't take his classes are those who 1) have truly poor reading and writing skills (coupled with an allergy to office hours) or 2) just absolutely hate the topic/don't tend to like English (this is not what I would recommend to someone who just wants to get a requirement out of the way)

1 3-4 page paper, a 1 6-8 page paper, a comprehensive final with IDs, close reading and comparative essay

I love Professor Platt. I was dreading his class because I personally hate renaissance literature but had to take it to fulfill the pre-1800 requirement, and I was definitely pleasantly surprised. He leads discussion like a pro...he lectured very, very little and tries to call on everyone as equally as possible (if you have your hand raised). I found him generous with his grading...and any professor who writes "Thanks" on my paper for...I don't know, providing him another paper to grade?...is awesome to me.