Need Undergrad/Very Recent Grad help. Who's the best lecturer on campus?
I do work within certain parts of the Alumni Association and was recently tasked with a job of finding two or three professors at Michigan who are both prolific lecturers and speak about things normal humans can understand and bring them out to suburban Detroit to lecture to alums. (i.e. I don't need someone who is super technical at something like engineering and can't speak to people who don't have significant background on the subject). I'd very much appreciate any commentary or suggestions from any of you that are currently undergrads or recently graduated.
A few caveats/don't bother recommending the following:
1) John Bacon - He's already been brought out this way to lecture by an alumni group so I can't use him.
2) Ralph Williams - Ditto.
3) Juan Cole - DItto again.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:30 PM ^
1. James Morrow - Int'l Politics
2. William James Adams - Econ Dept Head
January 16th, 2011 at 6:34 PM ^
that might be a bit dry for a general audience.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:56 PM ^
I second Jim Adams-
January 16th, 2011 at 7:47 PM ^
Definitely Adams - great professor.
January 16th, 2011 at 10:51 PM ^
I've heard he only accepts payment in Crushed Peanut Donuts, so be prepared for that.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:32 PM ^
anyone teaching Econ 101 better than Paula Malone. That class still sucked ass though.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:36 PM ^
We used to call her "All Business" Malone. But I agree she was a pretty solid teacher.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:34 PM ^
Out of the Chem Department, Masato Koreeda, Hashim Al-Hashimi, and Kathleen Nolta are all great.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:18 PM ^
Cosigned on Masato. Plus he can write on the chalkboard with both hands at the same time!
January 16th, 2011 at 7:56 PM ^
I took biochem with Nolta back in 2000. One of my favorite profs. while I was there.
January 16th, 2011 at 10:13 PM ^
um, yeah, im going to have to disagree with you there... kathy has been having trouble recently with her tps reports...
she can explain chem but she's sub-par at managing a course. i found copola to be a world better than kathy.
January 16th, 2011 at 10:15 PM ^
Dr. Nolta is amazing, definitely my favorite professor here, and I'm already a senior.
January 16th, 2011 at 10:56 PM ^
she is a great lecturer
January 16th, 2011 at 6:34 PM ^
I had Malone for Economics of Crime...great class
January 16th, 2011 at 6:35 PM ^
Bruce Conforth-american studdies
and second on Jim Morrow, have him for a smaller class right now and he's amazing
January 16th, 2011 at 6:52 PM ^
I second Conforth, very entertaining guy. Also, Paolo Squatriti is a really good history prof.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:05 PM ^
Conforth is a super entertaining guy and really nice. I had him for a class and also saw him lecture about his time as the curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Both types of lectures were great.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:56 PM ^
Bruce Conforth is the best, I came into this thread to put him on here.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:36 PM ^
But only because that'd be hilarious in a way you're probably not looking for.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:37 PM ^
Just make sure to tell him to come a half hour before you actually need him.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:38 PM ^
ha i took his American Politics class during election year and he didn't once try to tie our learnings to the upcoming presidential election.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:39 PM ^
and he actually gave a really impassioned, moving speech on the importance of voting. It was the one time I felt like he'd come to a lecture knowing what he was going to talk about ahead of time.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:43 PM ^
lol yeah and he always talked about philly cheesesteak...every class
January 16th, 2011 at 6:45 PM ^
Sure they had little to do with the reading and were only loosely connected in any sort of way, but they were super entertaining. Plus has anyone ever seen him without his ballcap on? I had him for three different classes and never saw this happen.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:49 PM ^
Nope...nothing can separate the man from his ballcap
January 16th, 2011 at 6:38 PM ^
Wilbert (Bill) Mckeachie: professor emeritus, psychology and education.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:00 PM ^
Bill is a legend.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:38 PM ^
January 16th, 2011 at 6:41 PM ^
US History Prof who was amazing
Also, Greg Markus- Polisci prof who does a lot of work with Detroit orgs and non-profits
January 16th, 2011 at 6:53 PM ^
Matt Lassiter would be great if he's still teaching there (History of American Suburbia).
January 16th, 2011 at 8:52 PM ^
...exactly the guy I was thinking about. I couldn't recall the name until I saw it. History of American Suburbia was a great class, and I actually reference it regularly. I occasionally reference some of the 7 books we needed for the class. He was a phenomenal professor and would be very easy for a anyone to follow along with...no background knowledge required. In my mind, you couldn't do any better than Lassiter.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:40 PM ^
really liked that guy.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:46 PM ^
I liked Markus alot, probably the best undergrad prof I had
January 16th, 2011 at 7:10 PM ^
Agreed, Lassiter would be my suggestion as well. American Suburia is one of the most entertaining classes at U of M.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:54 PM ^
Lassiter is perfect for this. He could give a talk about the suburbs/city development and dynamics. I love the guy.
Markus would also be good for that kind of thing, but I'd be surprised if he wanted to do it.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:44 PM ^
Ken Mikolowski, RC Creative Writing. Best teacher I had at the University.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:15 PM ^
It's nice to see him represented on here. He always brought in the most interesting guest speakers and hosted the best events.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:30 PM ^
Publishing pretty much every poet who mattered in the 60's and 70's has given Ken the luxury of having amazing connections. Gotta respect a guy whose house was pretty much Allen Ginsberg's hotel every time he came through the Detroit area.
Plus, he's just about the nicest, gentlest guy you'll ever meet.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:44 PM ^
Arthur Verghoot
January 16th, 2011 at 6:46 PM ^
he was excellent.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^
Had him back in '05 I think for mythology, loved that class. Glad to hear he's still around.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:42 PM ^
Easiest. Class. Ever.
Pretty sure Mike Hart and Henne were in that class with me, that is, when they came.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:42 PM ^
Easiest. Class. Ever.
Pretty sure Mike Hart and Henne were in that class with me, that is, when they came.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:46 PM ^
Psych Professor, one of the most personable people I've ever met.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:46 PM ^
Brian Porter-Szuch. Best history professor I've had.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:53 PM ^
great with technology, easily seems to adapt to any environment or questions
January 16th, 2011 at 8:12 PM ^
Seconded. Keeps you interested.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:47 PM ^
Fitzpatrick: Modern Wars or the Civil War. Just downright entertaining to listen to.
January 16th, 2011 at 6:47 PM ^
Victor Lieberman-Had him for Arab-Israeli conflict and SE Asian History. Hand down the best lecturer at Michigan IMO, and its not really that close.
Brian Porter Suzacs-Europe in the Era of total war
Rusty Hills-Campaign strategies and tactics
Never had him personally, but Joe Schwartz in the Ford school is supposed to be awesome.
I liked HD Cameron too, but I don't know if he still lectures.