Columbia College Core · Columbia University
As an art history major, I rarely have complaint about the department. However, I felt so strongly about this professor that I wanted to share my experiences on CULPA. While this man may know his share about modern art, there is no reason for the obnoxious commentary, and condescending attitude that he dishes out in every class. While I'm not claiming to know even close to as much as Prof. Zeidler, I would nonetheless like to be able to give my 10 minute presentation without being interrupted every 15 seconds. Do not take this class unless you enjoy being put on the spot, receiving grades with no written explanations, and having your professor discuss your paper topic over a cigarette.
Don't take this class if you are a wimp, like the other people who have written reviews here. Zeidler does not like to "babysit," but this is a good thing! If you have a shred of self-esteem, you should be able to withstand his minor arrogance quite easily. In return he gives intelligent insight into the works and does an excellent, rigorous job of teaching you how to look at art. By the end of term, though I had never taken any sort of art class before, I actually enjoyed looking at sketches by Breugel and was able to comment intelligently on them. You will probably not get an A in this class (though you can definitely get an A-), but you will actually learn something!
To get a good idea of Sebastian you might be interested to know that he threatened the class not to write a review on CULPA. He said something to the effect of: "I will hunt you down and find out who you are and then see to it that I fail you." Bravo to those that were not intimidated. [CULPA Editor's Note: COOL!!!]
I'd like to disagree, for the most part, with the last reviewer. Yes, Sebastian is condescending, arrogant, prissy and disrespectful to his students; but his lectures were very enjoyable, extremely informative, and, in general, quite entertaining - and not just because he liked to respond to his students' timid insights with bitter sarcasm; he really knows what he's talking about and usually presents material in an engaging way. His lectures are smooth and pleasantly accented; going to class is like watching TV, if you bring a snack and remember only to participate if you're prepared to be humiliated. But judging by my friends' experiences, I learned much more in Art Hum than the average Columbia student does. It's not impossible to do well in the class, either - I'm not sure he ever gives straight A's but A-'s are certainly attainable.
It could be worse is probably the best thing I could say about Sebastian. If you love being condescended to, then he's the preceptor for you. Art Hum is a dreadful class in its structure and subject matter -- no doubt about it. Sebastian does not make it any easier. He's very knowledgeable and oftentimes quite funny. However, there are a few problems with his style of teaching. He presents every one of his opinions as fact. I'm no expert in art history, but I do know enough about the field to recognize where an instructor is injecting his opinions. He has little tolerance for anyone who disagrees with him. He is also one of the most patronizing people I've ever met. He's very quick to laugh at ideas with which he does not agree. And more than a few times, he's bluntly told a person that he/she had a wrong idea. It's odd because he expects everyone to know as much about art history as he does, but he wants no one to formulate his/her own opinions. Many of his lectures were quite boring; there was something about his completely monotone German accent that seemed to put most of the class to sleep. And though I'm not Catholic, I was shocked to hear how many slights he made against the Catholic Church; it was certainly inappropriate. And for all you over-achievers out there, he announced early on that everyone would get B's, which most of us did. Most everyone received somewhere be…
Pretty fair, a couple of papers (museum visits), midterm, final (for which you must study).
Two papers and two midterms and a museum trip; the papers are interesting to write and the midterms, while not graded too harshly, are slightly hard to take emotionally - expect out-of-nowhere comments like, "Come on, it's not like this stuff is HARD!" breaking the silence during exams.
There are two short papers (about 8 pages each), a midterm, and a final. There are also two required museum visits. There's not too much reading, and though he constantly threatened us with quzzes, there were never any. Like I said, it certainly could be worse.
', "I'd like to disagree, for the most part, with the last reviewer. Yes, Sebastian is condescending, arrogant, prissy and disrespectful to his students; but his lectures were very enjoyable, extremely informative, and, in general, quite entertaining - and not just because he liked to respond to his students' timid insights with bitter sarcasm; he really knows what he's talking about and usually presents material in an engaging way. His lectures are smooth and pleasantly accented; going to class is like watching TV, if you bring a snack and remember only to participate if you're prepared to be humiliated. But judging by my friends' experiences, I learned much more in Art Hum than the average Columbia student does. It's not impossible to do well in the class, either - I'm not sure he ever gives straight A's but A-'s are certainly attainable.", "It could be worse is probably the best thing I could say about Sebastian. If you love being condescended to, then he's the preceptor for you. Art Hum is a dreadful class in its structure and subject matter -- no doubt about it. Sebastian does not make it any easier. He's very knowledgeable and oftentimes quite funny. However, there are a few problems with his style of teaching. He presents every one of his opinions as fact. I'm no expert in art history, but I do know enough about the field to recognize where an instructor is injecting hi…