Classes to write home about this fall semester

Author: Joe Bergan

For most Middlebury College students, registration was an ordeal completed in that ancient period - "before summer." For others, those hot months are an uncomfortable time, awkwardly fielding such questions as: "Oh Middlebury! Do you take a language?" "What is a 'Feb' exactly?" For those who felt inadequate this summer, The Middlebury Campus offers a helpful guide to the most fulfilling (and boast worthy) classes at Middlebury. Read along to discover the array of classes, variety of professors and endless possibilities that can be found right outside your dorm room door.

HIST 0203 U.S. History 1492-1861
Professor: John McCardell
President Emeritus and College Professor John M. McCardell - after wrapping up one of the most popular presidencies of the College two years ago - has returned to the classroom with vigor. Under his majestic hair is a brain that makes the human race proud. His orientation speeches can reduce just about anyone to tears. Trust us, although the subject matter of this class, Puritanism, Pilgrims and Plymouth Rock might not seem riveting, Professor McCardell has the ability to breathe life into any subject matter. For those who aspire to be not only a better student, but also a better human being, this is the class for you.

ENAM 0332 Shakespeare's Histories
Professor: John Bertolini
Another class chosen for the quality of instruction, Ellis Professor of English and Liberal Arts John Bertolini's Shakespeare's Histories course description includes "intensive" as its second word. Three hours of lecture and a mandatory screening makes for a lot of Shakespeare. Is there any other mark of pure genius greater than a thorough knowledge and understanding of Shakespeare? (Repeat this mantra while crying over your homework).

FMMC 0256 TV & American Culture
Professor: Jason Mittell
Perhaps no professor at Middlebury has his or her fingers on the pulse of popular culture quite like Assistant Professor of American Studies and Film and Media Culture Jason Mittell. While many professors on this list might not own cable, Professor Mittell consumes more TV in one week than you did all summer. While slackers may rejoice at the subject matter, Professor Mittell will impress you with his ample knowledge spanning from "Laguna Beach" to Theodore Adorno. Caution: Grey's Anatomy might never be the same in your eyes ever again.

PHYS 0155 An Introduction to the Universe
Professor: Frank Winkler
The Physics department at Middlebury has a catalogue full of classes that always drag the curious artist into McCardell Bicentennial Hall. Gamaliel Painter Bicentennial Professor of Physics Frank Winkler's fall offering is no exception. The daily subject matter will leave you pondering your place floating in infinite space, while your creative professor guides you through the night sky in the college observatory. Past students also rave about his dramatic Monty Python renditions. You may even see your professor rocket himself through Bicentennial Hall on a skateboard. Seriously.

THEA 102 C, D Acting I
Professor: Alex Draper
A requirement for Theatre majors, this class is a liberal arts rite of passage. Again, these particular sections are chosen for the professor. While some uninformed young men might attend this class to "pick up the ladies," be forewarned. The dashing and talented Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Alex Draper has served as the inspiration for a fan group on Facebook.com, as well as stolen the spotlight in many a Middlebury theatre production since his return to his alma mater. The obessessed may watch his episodes of "Sex and the City." The jealous may watch their Proctor Crush bat their eyes admiringly. Sorry ladies, he's taken.

AMST 365 Art and Language of the Civil War
Professor: Kit Wilson
Once every semester, Professor of Humanities Kit Wilson offers one class, usually in one three hour block, beginning on a Monday or Tuesday evening - and spots in these limited classes cannot be bought. Professor Wilson draws on history, paintings and prose to push and entertain the average Midd student's intellect further than "The Da Vinci Code" ever could. His Art and the Bible class draws many for the Mayan Hot Chocolate. This class is why you came to a small liberal arts school.