Roosevelt Montas

I took this class to fulfill my arts and humanities requirement (Barnard). At first, I didn't vibe with the class because there are a lot of readings and movies to watch for homework. However, once I started actually doing the readings and watching the movies, I got a lot out of it. Don't make the same mistake I did. This class can be very rewarding if you put in the work. Montas is a really well spoken lecturer and is super knowledgeable. He is super passionate about the subject and it shows. I really liked that the class did not focus on the content of the readings as much as the story and details about the author that you don't learn while doing the readings (Hence why I was bored before I actually did the readings). The course offers alternative perspectives to American history up until the modern day. This course was really interesting and Montas is really nice and cares about students.

I've never felt compelled for write a review for a professor but when I come across someone this inspiring and impactful, I feel that it is the least I can do. I had Roosevelt Montas for my second semester of CC. He is the director of the core curriculum, a master in American studies, and a strong defender of the value of a liberal education. He is extremely personable, kind, knowledgable, passionate and fashionable. He teaches you engage with the readings in a way that changes the way you think about life, and forces you to constantly self-examine, remain critical, skeptical and open to the new. Participation is incredibly important to him- it constitutes a significant portion of your final grade. He wants to see that you are not only doing the readings but engaging with them, finding holes in them, and putting them into conversation with each other. If you prefer a strong, seminar, discussion-based environment, you should most definitely take his class. You get as much out of this class as you want. While there are so many readings on the syllabus and it is absolutely impossible to discuss them all in depth (as Roosevelt knows and regrets), I strongly recommend that you do as much of the readings as you can- it will be reflected in your grade and it will profoundly impact your life and the conversations you have outside of class. I wish I could have had Roosevelt for the ent…

Prof. Montas' passion for Emerson, Thoreau, and Transcendentalism knows no bounds - the reading clearly was his forte and his vast knowledge of the time period made the seminar incredibly informative and well-detailed. I only wish his skills could be applied to a more engaging set of readings. I felt in the minority in the class for not loving every single book that we read, but I took the seminar in order to become *more* interested in Transcendentalist writers. By the end I grew to hate the reading, and while that might be a personal preference, it may also be that Prof. Montas can't transfer his own interest in the readings to students. There were a few other minor issues I had with the class - Prof. Montas is a stickler about tardiness, but didn't give us a break or even let us out on time, and it took three weeks for our grades to be submitted when my other seminar grades were in under five days. He also didn't grade anything the entire semester, which definitely made me nervous about my final grade. Still, the class is worth it...*if* you have a really strong interest in the reading material. I didn't, and I wish I had taken something else instead.

Though I felt Roosevelt to be a kind, good-natured person, I disagree with the other reviews. I felt that his discussions were limited and that he lacked the ability to really delve into the literature. His knowledge of history on subjects such as transcedentalism was extensive, but during our discussions on the works themselves, he would agree with everything the students said and provide no specific, definite literary insight for himself. We never really tapped into the importance of these great American writings as works of literature. Also, his grading (especially on the midterm) seemed to be a bit arbitrary. I would not say avoid Roosevelt; however, I would not seek him out either.

Hands down, the best learning experience I have ever encountered. Somehow he peels open a corner of the texts and allows the class to rip them wide open -- and inside he reveals... magic. He turns these texts into windows into ourselves, the whole scope of Western culture, and humanity itself. He is everything an English teacher can and should be. Take his class. Also his wife is really nice.

Intricacies of american history, culture, and conflicts

i gained a vast wealth of knowledge regarding all aspects of American history, literature, policies and individuals.

I was interested in taking an intro course in the American Studies department because I was curious about how American Studies would differ from U.S. History. Intro to American Studies studies aspects of American history through different cultural lenses. Professor Montas was a very passionate, genuine, and engaging lecturer. He co-taught the course with Professor Maura Spiegel, and she mostly covered the film analysis lectures, while Montas covered the lectures in which we discussed readings. The content of the course was diverse and wonderfully curated.

Professor Montas made my year. Upon first meeting him, you will likely find yourself drawn to his warm character, extremely personable nature, and impeccably outfitted suits and ties. Above all else, however, it is his passion for the course material, and ability to effectively communicate this passion, that makes him stand out from so many other professors. Montas added a book on Gandhi for our last reading in class and it was evident how much of himself Professor Montas put into his teaching--for Montas, the ideas and critiques of the text that he raises in class are a product of his ruminations. Montas is a thinker, and if you can appreciate the art of questioning and challenging, you will grow from his seminar. He artfully directs the classroom discussion and dynamic in a way that balances students questions with his own input. Should the class want a more participatory atmosphere, Montas will make room for that. On a quieter day when students may be more tired, Montas has much to share. As the director of the Core, Professor Montas is a very busy man. But he makes himself available to students to meet before papers or just to chat casually. At the end of the year he took our entire class out to brunch and it was awesome, a great way to end the year. Cookies and snack breaks in the middle of every class are a huge plus! This encourages a lot of class bonding, relationship…

Roosevelt has been an incredible TA for Delbanco's Foundations of American Lit lecture. Delbanco is great -- funny, interesting, tough, provoking -- but your only real interaction is with the TA's. Roosevelt runs a tough discussion section. You have to do the reading, write the response papers, and really think hard about the material. He grades mostly on class participation, but will kick you on the essays and papers. I learned an amazing amount about American literature, and have really been able to improve my writing and analytical skills. I met with Roosevelt several times over the course of the semester, and he was always incredibly kind, receptive, and helpful. It's a major shame for Columbia's English Department that he is leaving to write his dissertation. I hope that he comes back to CU to teach!