Joseph Albernaz

- Weekly discussion post - Random reading quizzes (can be on rather minute details of the readings sometimes) - Participation!! - Close reading practice paper - First Essay - Second Essay - Midterm & Final

This class taught how to think about developing a senior thesis over time. We also looked at a few example senior theses.

He is very, very passionate about what he is teaching and also very knowledgeable. His discussions are engaging and he's also funny and a very chill guy. He brought in donuts one time and bought us all coffee at Joe's another time because we were acting sleepy in class. He's a good teacher for someone who really wants to participate and he values this highly. He brings a unique approach to lit hum by having us listen to parts of the texts in their original languages to hear what they sound like or having us act out scenes from the books. The comments the other reviews have made about grading are true, it is rather vague. However, the essays are not too hard once you understand what he's looking for which he's always willing to help with in office hours. He once told me that the key to getting an A on his papers is close reading and making an arguable point. Which I found to be true, I went from a B- on the first paper to an A- on the second one. It's better to over-do it on the close reading than under-do it in his class. He also has creative project options for people who wants to interact with the texts more creatively than a paper. I really enjoyed my Lit Hum experience with him and would highly recommend him for those who are super excited for this course and want a professor who will match that level of enthusiasm.

perspectives and topics on the construction of pros.

Weekly blog posts, 5 and ten page paper, midterm and final

Professor Albernaz is a very interesting professor, and you can tell he really he cares about what he his teaching. However, do NOT take this class if you aren't willing to risk getting a low b or c. You will spend the majority of the semester wandering what grade you have in his class, and he demands a lot on the papers. I can only recall a few people getting A's on them and he is a very meticulous grader. Overall, although he is interesting, I wouldn't suggest taking this class due to the risk of getting a bad grade in a class that typically would give you a b at minimum. Also he is super strict on participation, and will take points off your grade for even having excused absences/having to leave early.

I felt a little frustrated by the fact that so much of the course was centered around reading/talking about how to write. It often felt abstract and overindulgent without much actual writing/research time built in. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2024 Course: ENGLUN3795_002_2024_3-SENIORESSAYRESEARCHMETHODS : ENGLUN3795_002_2024_3 - SENIOR ESSAY RESEARCH METHODS Instructor: Joseph Albernaz

Great professor, but needs to input grades. He has not put one grade the entire semester into Canvas so you have no idea where you stand until the final grade is released. Come on! Our GPA matters especially for a required course. His discussions are insightful but not knowing your grade until it is too late is unacceptable. It’s his 1st semester teaching so I’m sure he will improve. I’m grateful for what he taught me and how he pushed me to think beyond the words on the page but disappointing how he doesn’t input the grades. If you don’t mind left wondering how you’re 1st semester GPA will crater then take him.