Christina Kiaer

I have never written a CULPA review but this class is so inspirational that I felt moved to do so. Seriously, Professor Kiaer is amazing. She is an incredibly engaging lecturer, and is quite brilliant. The structure of the class is kind of unique for an art history class-- we studied the history of the feminist movement as well as developments in the art world during the period, and the readings were mostly theory. I learned so much it's obscene. I never wanted to miss a lecture. I don't think she will offer this again until fall 2006, but if you're a first- year or sophomore, TAKE IT. I became an art history concentrator largely because of this class. Best I've ever taken here, by far.

Prof. Kiaer, if you are not an art history major, is not the godess some other reviewers have made her out to be, but neither is she as bad as another reviewer made her out to be. She is obviously incredibly intelligent, and her lectures are very interesting. Even though the class was my earliest one, I rarely had trouble staying up. On the other hand, she seems to have less patience with her art hum. class than I would guess she would have with her majors. She seemed somewhat detached from the class. Still I would take this class. Rarely in art hum. will you get the chance to be taught by a professor (as opposed to a grad. student), and one so advanced no less. I found her to be a reasonable, very fair grader, and if you participate in her class she will like you.

I was in the same section of the majors' colloquium as the B- student. It was overcrowded, but Prof. Kiaer did explain to all of us that the reason for the overcrowding was lack of faculty, even though she wanted to, she could not teach a smaller section. Everyone in there absolutely had to take the course or risk not graduating, or gradutating with a concentration. That semester was the last time there was only one section if the seminar. The department now always runs two sections a semester. Anyway, Prof Kiaer did a very good job in fostering discussion in that difficult atmosphere, she can vey tactfully turn incredible stupid comments into something constructive. The discussions were livelier than in some tiny classes ive taken, so I find the previous reviewer's complaint invalid. As for the courseload, I did some, but not all of the readings, handed in an average paper and one I actually put some effort in and received an A. This was not an easy class, but it wasn't difficult either. As for Prof. Kiaer herself, she's one of the best teachers I've ever had. Actually she's probably the best, hands down. No competion. I would take a class with her again if she taught at 7AM on the roof of Schemerhorn in a space not protected from the elements in February. She's brilliant, her lectures are inspiring, I never missed a class (even when I risked the discovery that I did not do t…

Best class all year. The only complaint I can think of is that I truly felt that I missed out if I couldn't make it to one of her lectures or even came ten minutes late. Prof. Kiaer is incredible--extremely knowledgeable and a great speaker; she goes very in depth and is quite easy-going at the same time. She is extremely insightful and intelligent, and she lectures the material with charm and eloquence. I found that in the discussion sections, even the TA's were influenced by her thorough, student-friendly teaching style. You'll miss out if you don't have her for a semester. Even if modern art is not your cup of tea, at the very least, you'll have a great appreciation (and fascination) of it by the end of the semester.

Truly the best prof at Columbia. Not only is she brilliant, but her personality and beauty are god-like as well. People like Prof Kiaer are why i came to columbia. Truly a pleasure studying under her.

Challenging, but you will be prepared by Kiaer's amazing lectures. 1 4-5 page paper, 1 6-8 page paper, both of which require you to incorporate theory and art. The midterm was hard, but the final was fine- both in-class. Readings were heavy at the beginning but tapered off, and were basically optional. But amazing, like the rest of the class.

Two papers (one 3-4, the other 5-6 pages), a midterm, and a final. If you remember the dates and use direct visual examples, she'll grade you well.....oh and do all the readings, and participate!!!!!!! it really does help.

She allowed too many people into the colloquium, which made discussion very difficult among so many people. She is very knowledable and great at leading and guiding discussion. She expects alot, often too much from her students, readings of incredible and unbearable lengths, and tough , tough, grader, recieved a B-, my lowest grade ever at Columbia, and lost any chance of obtaining honors in my department.

Lots of slides to memorize and plenty of art history essays from the wild world of academia. Go to the lectures, take notes, and you'll be fine.