Joanna Stalnaker

She is such a kind and understanding teacher! I thought all of her classes were interesting and all of her assignments were reasonable. I loved the variety of works we read, even if some were a bit old and boring. I always felt comfortable to talk in class even though I am not the strongest French speaker. She will also help you out lots if you go to office hours.

Joanna Stalnaker's Lit Hum class was an incredibly bizarre, awful experience. She clearly fell ill early in the fall semester and proceeded as though nothing was wrong throughout nearly the entire year until, in April, the course was handed over to someone else when she became physically unable to teach it. Certainly I have sympathy for illness, which is indiscriminate and can be, as in her case, debilitating. But it meant the class was an absolute disaster more or less from start to finish. She regularly arrived to class twenty minutes late, would sit quietly in the back while students monologued/complained/stared at their phones, and seemed, when she did weigh in, genuinely confused about what was being discussed. Lit Hum ought to be (or at least CAN be) a Columbia high point, and this class--the whole year--was just an absolute waste of time. Students learned almost nothing, and it felt tremendously disrespectful that things just went on, "business as usual," when Stalnaker was just so obviously unable to teach. No respect for students, apparently no respect for herself or her own health, and certainly no respect for "education," whatever that is.

Joanna is an incredible professor!! She really cares about this class and her students and brings a lot of insight into the texts. The feedback I did get from her on my writing was always very helpful even if it felt a bit harsh at some times. Her assignments were always helpful and I felt that I got the chance to learn how to think in this class. I disagree with her on a lot of topics, but I never felt targeted for my opinions and instead appreciated the way she would listen to my ideas and help me to grow as a person too. Definitely would recommend her class! She is a true gem.

This class was great. I'm a French major, and I put it off until my very last semester because the subject was of not particular interest to me, but I enjoyed it a lot. First things first: Prof. Stalnaker is great. I cannot stress this enough. She clarified the objectives and the themes of the class, as well as her expectations, since the first day of class. I thought that she was very helpful. I was one of the few students whose field of interest was not related to the subject matter (and an undergrad no less) yet I never felt isolated or lost. I think that was because Prof. Stalnaker always addressed our questions and comments, and because she did not limit our analysis by imposing only one angle of study. Quite the contrary, she was open to all our opinions and let us take the class to whatever direction we thought important. I think that made us take an active role in the process. I also appreciated how she stimulated our curiosity in very subtle manners - unlike most professors, she never flat out pointed to a student and ordered them to answer a question. She always had the right phrasing that provoked us into discussions. I think it's also worth mentioning that most of us read some of these texts before (in CC) but I didn't feel that the class was redundant. In my opinion, this class not only makes up for the many flaws CC unfortunately has, but it goes beyond CC becaus…

Professor Stalnaker does, indeed, have the patience of a kindergarten teacher. She meticulously explains anything you ask, because, alas!, she actually cares whether you fully understand the plot and litarary nuances of the texts. She makes sure you understand the plot, but she is especially good at teaching you how to do close litarary analysis. Don't throw away the Explication de Texte handout she'll give you; I had her two years ago and I still refer back to it sometimes. When you write papers, she really takes the time to pore over what you write and she writes out meticulous suggestions on how to improve your work. The grading is tough, but she lets you rewrite and improve on your first version for a half grade higher (B+ becomes A-, etc.), which is easy 'cause she tells you exactly what and how you need to fix it. She is one of the cutest French teachers I've ever had; SO sweet and kind! Best is that she has a chic style that totally adds to the ambiance of a French class (think a la 40's flapper with below-the-knee tweed skirts, an adorable bowl cut, and I swear, she wore a cloche hat when I had her). Two thumbs up! Definitely take her.

Prof Stalnaker is really awesome, but you know she is really really really tough in terms of grading. And quite inflexible when it comes to writing what she wants. But then again, here comes the same old problem with a class like hers: cramming two books within one week. arghs!

Professor Stalnaker is the BEST Lit Hum Professor anyone could ever ask for. In the beginning, it was challenging to say the very least as I wasn't really sure what she wanted/ expected from our papers and assignments. However, going to her office hours was the best decision as she breaks down everything. She writes intensive notes on your essays, make sure to review them with her. She takes your complaints, and concerns into consideration and often times during the semester pushed back assignments, as she noticed that we were stressed, giving you ample time to turn in the assignment on time. She is such a sweetheart, and extremely caring. Our class discussions were amazing, Professor Stalnaker brought forth many interesting insights, and was patient and interested in what each and every student said. She really values class participation, so please participate, and say something. She really wants to hear everyone and makes sure that everyone is heard. Please take this class with her, you will not regret it !!!!!!!!

Professor Stalknaker made this class as interesting as anyone could I'm sure. She's very sweet and understanding and its pretty easy to get through class without reading too much even though there really isn't that much to read. She only assigned sections of the longer novels we read and we did a lot of peotry and plays. I would definitly recommend her and would love to take a class with her again when she gets back.

Prof. Stalnaker made a valiant effort trying to cram over six centuries of french literature into one semester; I, for one, applaud her. The fault here lies within the structure of the Intro Lit Courses, which most definitely should be three semesters and not two. Honestly, Prof. Stalnaker made what could have been an excruciatingly painful semester into a generally interesting in-depth analysis of the pre-1800 hit parade of lit. She's obviously incredibly intelligent and very enthusiastic, which ought to carry over into her students' attitude, unless you're stuck in the class I had, where only half the people knew what was going on...(but that's another story!) All that being said, she's a very tough grader and the paper topics are challenging! I found it difficult to narrow down my discussions and often struggled to get a B+. I think this has more to do with this really being one of her first classes...I'm sure she'll mellow out next semester. If you're willing to put in the work, she's a great teacher who goes above and beyond in making time for her students and does a great job with the hand Columbia has dealt her: hundreds of years of literature in roughly three months....

Great lady- superb teaching and incredibly sweet. She always accommodates her students and is very clear and available about office hours. She doesn't allow phones in class, and will tell you in the beginning she doesn't allow food- but she gets it if you need food in class (like I did). Amazing discussion, and the class bonded really well.