Columbia College Core · Columbia University
Plenty, but don't be worried - it'll shape you into a better student.
Humberto Ballesteros rocked my world. Incredible teacher not only for the mastery of his chosen field(s) but also because he is an exemplary human being who seeks authenticity and truth in academia, in art, and in everything he brings to class. This is a teacher that really brought out the best in me, made me read more than I ever thought I could in two nights, and who set the pace for my Columbia career. Thanks Humberto if you ever read this!
3 essays per semester (increasingly long, graded extremely leniently) reading quiz for most texts (he grew lax as time went on) midterm and final
Humberto is as about as good as it gets for lit hum, I'd imagine. The workload is very light and he is very lenient with grades. Just speak up during discussions, have a presence, and you will most certainly be fine. That's not to say that he lacks as a professor in any way whatsoever. Humberto is always enthusiastic, has great insight into the texts, and masterfully leads conversation. He is always considerate and puts a real effort into approaching the books from different perspectives, often providing his own translation for pieces of the English translation he feels lack in properly conveying the original text. You will come out of class each day with much more than you came in, especially if you put a true effort into participating.
2 essays per semester (very interesting prompt options) Reading Quizzes (not a big deal though) Veryyyyy light workload
IF YOU ARE IN HUMBERTO'S CLASS, CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Humberto is such a sweet, brilliant human being, and every class is extremely interesting. He thinks up inventive and fun in-class activities, and he's an extremely generous grader. Don't take advantage of him though, he really wants to make sure that you do well and get something out of his class! I really can't emphasize enough how amazing he is. Truly think he's the best LitHum teacher Columbia has. Will definitely miss him as a professor next year.
Generally, 3 essays a semester, may give two. (2 page, then 4 page, then 6 page essay) Read the LitHum textbooks although for the Odyssey and the Iliad he spends an additional day on the texts. Midterm, which is in the same format as the Final, which is given by the Core offices.
Awesome LitHum Professor, also a loveable professor who probably has no flaws whatsoever. Gives 1 quiz for each book, except for those that are just pure poetry. During class discussion, does not require anyone to talk although this is at least 5-15% of your grade. Discussions are very insightful and he tries to find creative ways to make the texts interesting. Get use to "What's going on?"
Well, it's Lit-Hum, but Humberto makes it pretty easy. He is an extremely generous grader (he really wants you to do well!) but don't take advantage of this. Humberto is too good to be treated as somebody who will give you an easy A. He wants to make Lit-Hum enjoyable for you, so do your part!
If you have Humberto for Lit-Hum, you just won the lottery. Humberto is absolutely brilliant. He is a master at instigating meaningful, provocative class discussion, and his insight into the texts is fantastic and life-changing. Generally, class begins with either a reading quiz (which everyone typically fails, but it doesn't really impact your grade) or a passage/scene from the reading. From there class rockets off into scintillating debates on passages Humberto selects for us to close-read. Humberto will oftentimes mix up class agendas; several times he asked each person to prepare a 5 minute speech in the spirit of the Symposium or other, which we would then share with the class. Class time was always spent valuably, and I enjoyed every minute (seriously, every minute) of it this year. As if that wasn't enough for you, Humberto is also a genuine, sweet, and lovely human being. One thing I particularly loved is how we would read the texts through a very human lens. It was okay to not understand something, or to voice a strong opinion about one of the characters, or to simply say you loved how a certain scene made you feel. Humberto makes the literature fun and personally engaging, and his kindness and genuine compassion for his students creates a classroom environment that feels like home. I honestly can't say enough wonderful things about Humberto. If you have him, you will…