Peter Platt

Platt is among the kindest, most engaging, encouraging, supportive, special professors I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. To not take his class would be a disservice to yourself.

One of the best professors I've had at Barnard. Accessible, enthusiastic about the material, will make you care about Shakespeare.

This is a great class, and Professor Platt is absolutely wonderful. Definitely recommended for anyone who wants Shakespeare to feel accessible and not too strenuous. Platt is the nicest guy, and his enthusiasm for the material is contagious, so you're motivated to do well and get deeper into the texts (though you can skate by with the minimum if you want, since participation isn't mandatory). But he really encourages class discussion and gets to know everyone's names and creates a great rapport within the class and makes people feel comfortable contributing without letting the discussion spiral in random directions. He's very good at guiding peoples' comments towards relevant points, and he's not afraid to steer the conversation when it's off track, but he genuinely gets excited when someone shares a new idea. He just knows a lot about Shakespeare and really wants to make everyone care as much as he does, and it's a lot of fun to be in a class like that. He also brings out the confusing or funny aspects of the text that might be harder to understand. Overall, highly, highly recommended -- Platt is just a really nice person (he brought us cookies to the final) and genuinely wants everyone to do well and will try to accommodate you as much as possible (extra credit options for people who did poorly on the midterm) and generally make your experience in his class as positive as it…

Professor Platt's the best English prof I've had here. He's caring, hilarious, and knows a terrifying amount about Shakespeare. He works hard to get everyone involved in and enthusiastic about the class, and seems crushed when anyone isn't. One of those professors who, bright and accomplished in Shakespeare criticism as he is, really seems here to teach. If anything, he takes the class a bit too seriously -- but it's impossible to criticize him for that. He cares about your education! If you love Shakespeare, take a class with him. If you don't love Shakespeare, take a class with him. I did not expect to study Shakespeare this intensely, but it became impossible to resist. I've taken both a seminar and lecture with him, and he's great with both. He's an entertaining lecturer, even at 9am, and even with a 70-odd person class, he manages to learn names and draw out discussion. With the seminar, he does a fantastic job of integrating plays, criticism, his take, and ours. He gives you a lot of freedom to pursue your own ideas and interests, but plenty of foundation to start you off.

Platt is a kind, respectful, extremely intelligent man, and I loved his class. He really listens to and considers what his students has to say and never makes anyone feel that, in this case, her opinions or interpretations are invalid. I was really impressed at how quickly he can evaluate and idea and intelligently respond to it. I would definitely reccomend Platt to anyone who enjoys analyzing lit.

Yes, he's on sabbatical this year, but do not take Shakespeare with anyone else. The man has often been compared to Robin Williams from <i>The Dead Poets Society</i> for a reason. He is an exciting lecturer--even though the class is always on the early side, you will never fall asleep. He makes "Shakes" (as he refers to him) very contemporary. Students often read pertinent passages aloud, and Peter will frequently do so himself, declaiming them with a joy that is great to see. He really worships Shakespeare, but is able to criticize, as well. His usage of the Writing Fellow's system at Barnard is very useful for turning in a good paper--they see a draft of it, criticize it, and then you turn in a final copy. He is always very available to talk to students outside of class. Basically, he made a 60 person class feel like a seminar--he knew everyone's name, he was actually interested in what was going on with us--it was a really good experience.

Shapiro is retiring. Take this course if you're able. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2024 Course: ENGLUN1335_001_2024_3-ShakespeareI : ENGLUN1335_001_2024_3 - Shakespeare I Instructor: James Shapiro

Took both Ren Drama and Shakespeare II with Platt. An incredible professor who can bring any play to life. Brilliant and very encouraging to his students, most agree he's one of the best at Barnard. Gives detailed comments on all papers. Nothing excites him more than excited students, and because Renaissance Drama isn't the most mainstream topic, it tends to attract some of the best and brightest in the university imo (Shakespeare can be more of a mixed bag in terms of peers, but you'll always have at least a few great voices to carry the convo (and ofc Platt to elevate things)). Each week he begins with a short lecture, and then the rest of class 1 and the entirety of class 2 are a structured discussion (I'm normally not a discussion gal, but these hit DIFFERENT). You must read a play a week, which is difficult but manageable. Most of the plays, while short enough to skim in a bind, are rich, captivating, and an absolute pleasure to sink your teeth into if you can spare the hours. The people who shouldn't take his classes are those who 1) have truly poor reading and writing skills (coupled with an allergy to office hours) or 2) just absolutely hate the topic/don't tend to like English (this is not what I would recommend to someone who just wants to get a requirement out of the way)

Unenthusiastic lecturer. Cynical, jaded, touchy, passive aggressive. Plays favorites and anti-favorites. Indulges people who ramble on and on unproductively in class. Seemed like he was really not invested in teaching. Would roll his eyes in boredom after he finished reading off his script. Grades papers in weird way. His grading scheme is streamlined for minimal effort on his part/his TA's part. Doesn't give a damn about quality of ideas--if your paper fits his required, formulaic structure, you'll get an A. And if it doesn't fit THAT STRUCTURE to a tee, you'll get a B. Even if everything else is there. In other words, the papers are not graded based on content. They're graded based on how well they fit his mold. Not usually what happens in lit classes, right? Ideally no. Overall: Avoid.

I'm not a Shakespeare know it all or anything; I just took the class because of all the rave reviews on the professor. I don't regret it. He is what everyone says he is-funny, approachable, passionate. He made Shakespeare interesting and worth it to wake up at 9am. It's a 60+ class but about 50 on average will show. He grades based on participation, midterm, final, short paper (5 pages), long paper (6-8 pages). Midterm and final same format-IDs, Close-reading essay, synthesis essay (only in final). The quotes may seem daunting, but if u go to class, he only uses quotes that have been mentioned in class so if you go, not read the play, but follow in class-quotes won't be so hard. I agree he is a tough grader, but very fair. He's still worth it though!