Reading the Future · First Year Writing @Barnard
We had a discussion post due almost every week and around 6 essays properly due (maybe once a week). He meets with us before every final draft is due for approximately 15 minutes to discuss any questions we may have.
Going into this class, especially knowing it was a pass-fail class, I was expecting a pretty enjoyable time with good discussions, which I did get out of this class. I loved the discussions we had in class, and Professor Shelichach is super direct and takes the time to really talk to each student to help them better their essays.
Being a P/F class, I don't think anyone should be worried. There was usually a short discussion post each class (around 200 words) and very reasonable readings (from a page to a maximum of 20, but on average about 5). The essays were not that difficult and actually rather interesting.
One of the best professors I've had! As a STEM major, I don't particularly like writing, but Prof. Schelichach made this class so interesting. Great person, very educated, and excellent professor. The discussions were lively and intriguing, and so were the readings. This is the only class I hadn't skipped, not even once, all semester. He's very lenient with the essay topics and just wants us to express ourselves. And the comments on the essays really show his dedication as well as appreciation for the effort we put in. Each time, I had amazing feedback filled with constructive remarks! Plus, you can really see his enthusiasm each time any of us would talk (very heartwarming). I think his class is very motivating and an amazing choice to take for first-year students. No regrets. I've recommended this course to all my friends!!
Usually, a reading and discussion post for each class. For the most part, the length of the readings was reasonable, but there were occasionally some long ones. You definitely can get away with skimming for the longer ones, but it's helpful to pay attention for the readings that are part of the prompt of an essay. As, I think, for all FYW classes there was three essays (Lens Analysis, Close Reading, and Research). We would submit a draft, get feedback, and submit our final drafts so nothing too intense. The professor was pretty good at giving constructive feedback and also took the time to meet with each student and thoroughly go through his comments.
I thought that the readings for this class were relatively interesting which is good enough for me because this is a P/F class. The discussions weren’t the most interesting, but they did really make me reflect on the way I think about the future especially in the context of the climate crisis. Naturally, the tone of our discussions was a bit depressing but the professor did his best to lighten the mood. The professor really carried the conversations when we were more quiet. At times it felt like he was helicopter parenting and babying us to a niche point he wanted to make, but otherwise a solid guy. Not the easiest, but no at all the hardest FYW option.
It's p/f so like, you'll be fine, but 3 essays and readings for each class that are not super long, and generally actually really interesting.
Had him for both Reading the Future and Storytelling. Fantastic professor, some of the best classes I took last year. I heard so many people complain about how boring and awkward their fyw and fys classes were but it you take his classes it couldn't be further from the truth. He asks genuinely good questions and assigns unique and fascinating pieces, and gives great prompts to build off of for the essays. I got great book recs from him outside of assigned readings, and got to have fun with the concepts explored in class. The in class discussions were always genuinely so much fun, and broadened my perspective and in some ways, my personal cosmology as well. He is remarkably good at making every student feel smart and appreciated and coaxing critical and interesting thoughts out of us. Seriously, take a class of his if you can. Wish he taught more classes, would absolutely take a Victorian Sci-fi class if he taught one.
Very manageable/easy: Three essays, all where you submit a draft, receive feedback, and then a final edition. All 4 to 5 pages, 12 point double spaced. Short/medium readings for every class and a 200 to 300 word discussion post.
Had Professor Shelichach for First Year Writing: Reading the Future. Overall, a good FYW class. Professor is very enthusiastic about the material he has selected and teaching. Works hard to create a comfortable environment for your students. Gives extensive feedback on your essay drafts. Context: Took this when the class was mandatory P/F. I consider myself a fairly strong writer but I do not particularly enjoy it.