Got your attention, didn't I? Well, my new Archaeology professor at City College certainly had my attention and that of the rest of our class of 25 or so students who are taking Beginning Archaeology and Pre-history when she discussed some of the artifacts and ecofacts that she has picked up in her many adventures related to anthropology. One of those is the penis gourd, used by the highland men of West Papua, which she invited us to see in her office. During the first session of our class I became convinced that Professor Kristina Casper-Denman would make the perfect person to play the part of my sister Revabeth if they ever made a movie about her life.
The first thing I noticed about Kristina was her frequent use of the phrase "Holy crap", a near swear word that sounds like it would be acceptable in central Utah. The second was her announcement that she, too, reads RateMyProfessors.com and fully agrees with the assessment of 52 students who have said she is "bitchy" and "sarcastic". (I'm sure Revabeth would cop to those charges as well.) What Kristina didn't say but which became evident as the night wore on, was that she was lively, engaging, witty, and downright fun to listen to.
Then the professor got down to business, presenting us with the class syllabus and then reading and explaining every little detail in case some of us didn't get the message. Over half the class have taken a previous class from Casper-Denman which says either that the pickin's are slim or that she has generated a loyal following. I think it's definitely the latter. Before the class was over, she had made it clear that class participation was not optional but had done so in a way that made everyone feel welcome, even eager to participate. She loves her field and wants others to appreciate it as well. And the way she teaches it, Holy crap, who wouldn't?
File under: Teaching
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