Columbia College Core · Columbia University
Coilin Parsons is a good guy. yes, you will definitely not get an A in this class and will have to settle for a B or B+, but he really does try to push you. his strict grading aside, he's an excellent professor, and he's shown me on many occasions how great and fascinating literature can really be, which is exactly what I want from a professor. he knows a lot and is very intelligent, has a lot of authority, a good sense of humor, and leads the class well. his tough grading aside, he's fantastic, and I definitely recommend him.
Coilin Parsons is one of the best teachers I have had. He is extremely intelligent and makes sure that you are a better writer from taking his class. Not an easy grader, but his class is worth it.
Ok everybody...I am doing this to save many of you hours and hours of asking yourselves why you are not getting a better grade on your papers and exams, especially when you put so much time into each one of them. I swear to you all, I am not stupid, truthfully, I am fairly intelligent, and I justify this by the fact that my grades in every other class at this school were good. Coilin Parsons made me feel like an idiot. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS. The previous reviews (notice they are all like 3 years ago) will tell you that he is a brilliant, intelligent teacher who's class will be "the highlight of your time here at Columbia." Let me just say, if his class is actually the highlight of your time, then Columbia must really have sucked for you. He is intelligent, I will not dispute that. However, isn't your Lit Hum professor supposed to be smart - I mean, he is teaching at an Ivy League school. But, if you get over the fact that he has a brain, you might discover that the discussions in class are based only on his close-minded perceptions. If you say something that he disagrees with, you will not do well. Furthermore, he disagrees with practically everything you say. Put 2 and 2 together, and YOU WILL NOT DO WELL. Even the most brilliant liberal-arts based thinkers couldn't pull anything above an A-. I believe 1 or 2 people got "A"s. Ask yourself, at a school that supposedly is base…
I don't know whether his grading was harsh or not because I never compared grades with anyone else in the class, but it seemed reasonable considering the amount of effort I put in. He didn't seem to respond well to improperly formatted emails, but he was nice enough to reply to them anyway. He's rather nitpicky when it comes to grammatiks, but if you ignore the penciled-corrections it won't annoy you too much. He's a good teacher, though, and I thoroughly enjoyed the class.
Colin is an overall awesome instructor of Literature Humanities. I was shocked when I found out that this had been his first year teaching the class. His knowledge of the books, and his obvious preparations make the class stimulating and challenging. He expects a lot out of you, but he for the most part gives even more back. If you have the priveledge of choosing your LitHum instructor/ta, definitely choose Colin. You'll learn so much, and your ability to read closely will greatly improve. Be prepared to work hard on your papers, but feel accomplished when you produce something far better than the average LitHum student.
Very good professor who makes you work hard. His analysis of your paper's argument is excellent and incisive, and he forces you to consider the worth of every sentence. Coilin is not an easy grader, but he is fair. You'll get the grade you deserve.
Coilin Parsons' Lit Hum class will definately be the highlight of your Core experience at Columbia. Discussions are dynamic and fast-paced, controlled (though not completely dominated) by this professor who really knows his stuff. Intellectually stimulating, exciting, and informative. Each class was really a thrill.
a hard ass but a fine teacher who will strip your writing of all the bullshit and make you a clear, responsible writer. he sincerely cares about "good" writing.
Medium. he will probably make you write the minimum number of pages on your papers because he really wants you to keep it concise. He added Ibsen's A Doll's House, which was pleasant and short.
Exercises every week for the first two months. Four papers.