First Year Writing @Barnard · Columbia University
I knew based off of CULPA reviews and the readings listed in the course description that Lives in Translation would be fun, but this course exceeded my expectations! Professor Ula is one of the most encouraging, helpful, and understanding professors I've ever encountered. The themes we discussed—queer, post-colonial, Orientalism, language and translation, etc.—were all super interesting. Discussions were easy to participate in and follow, even if you have little to no experience with the themes. Professor Ula helps build up to essays via exercises so none of the workload ever feels overwhelming. She also provides questions to consider while you read the texts to guide your thinking. She's always there to help put your ideas together and is an INCREDIBLE source of support. TAKE THIS CLASS FOR YOUR FYW! I'm so sad she isn't taking FYS Spring 2026.
Every assignment comes with a reading/film segment, like a documentary, and a Padlet post. Not super high work overall, you do need 2-3 paragraphs for the padlet but it's only graded on completeness so no need to worry too much about wording
P/F class allows students to have creative freedom, and she is not too strict. There are like 4 papers which you do have to edit a lot for, but many paragraphs are reusable from weekly assignments, so the workload is not too bad.
Three essays, all of which you get to draft before submitting, and some writing exercises.
3 essays (draft & final - meetings w prof & writing fellow for each of them) (3 extension days to use as u see fit), 9 short exercises (2 skips), a few padlet posts, readings (some might sound intimidating but the class makes them comprehensive), and showing up to class (3 skips i think)
Professor Ula is awesome and I loved this course! It's super engaging, going through queer pasts, present, and futures, and the final assignments for each unit are very different, allowing you to experiment with genres you may not have experienced before (analytical essay, op-ed, and my favorite, the final zine). Prof Ula is consistently extremely kind, friendly, relatable, and accommodating. She's queer herself and open about it, which is really nice in a class about queer studies. We had great chemistry in our class, which she definitely helped create. It may be pass/fail, but I was constantly motivated to do my best even if I was not being graded on it. She really helps nurture a passion in the topic.
I only got this class as a last option for my FYW requirement, but it exceeded my expectations. The professor is very chill, nice to her students, and will walk through the content of readings with you most of the time, which is very helpful for the assignments we have to turn in. The course deals with texts that subvert the traditional script, which I thought might include too many queer and black people narratives, which was true, and they were interesting reads. I highly recommend this class as she allows you to turn in HW late and the class is enjoyable.
Loved this class, loved Professor Ula. She's a really great teacher - she was always really approachable and took the time to help my writing improve and also to encourage me to take risks that paid off really well. She ran classes well too, even online. Definitely the best online professor I had. The books are all great books, especially Giovanni's Room, but Orlando is also a fun and wacky read. Can't recommend her enough as a FYW prof.
this class was really cool & really chill. professor ula makes the class a collaborative experience, and expects participation but doesnt cold call or anything. the poems & books & topics discussed were also genuinely really interesting. 100% recommend taking this!
As long as you submit your assignments you will pass the class. I did not spend a crazy amount of time on this class; there was usually a reading/a movie to watch for each class or a writing submission, which is pretty typical for a FYW class.