Need Undergrad/Very Recent Grad help. Who's the best lecturer on campus?

120 posts / 0 new
Login or register to post comments
Last post
January 16th, 2011 at 7:26 PM
#1
James Burrill Angell
James Burrill Angell's picture
Joined: 08/12/2009
MGoPoints: 3373
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.

Top
Tags:

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
January 16th, 2011 at 7:30 PM | Couple that I know of (Score:1)
goblue2008
goblue2008's picture
Joined: 01/15/2011
MGoPoints: 117

1. James Morrow - Int'l Politics

2. William James Adams - Econ Dept Head

January 16th, 2011 at 7:33 PM | Drew Westin (Score:1)
Lampuki
Joined: 08/27/2010
MGoPoints: 38
January 16th, 2011 at 7:34 PM | Morrow's a big game theory guy though (Score:1)
AAB
Joined: 01/14/2009
MGoPoints: 7194

that might be a bit dry for a general audience.

There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.

January 16th, 2011 at 7:56 PM | I second Jim Adams- (Score:1)
M2010
Joined: 01/09/2011
MGoPoints: 29

I second Jim Adams-

January 16th, 2011 at 8:47 PM | Definitely Adams - great (Score:1)
Indefensible
Indefensible's picture
Joined: 09/02/2008
MGoPoints: 24

Definitely Adams - great professor.

“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise - the other, loyalty.” Fielding Yost

January 16th, 2011 at 11:51 PM | I've heard he only accepts (Score:1)
jeag
jeag's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 558

I've heard he only accepts payment in Crushed Peanut Donuts, so be prepared for that.

January 16th, 2011 at 7:32 PM | I couldn't see (Score:1)
maizenblueCW2
maizenblueCW2's picture
Joined: 06/29/2010
MGoPoints: 1020

anyone teaching Econ 101 better than Paula Malone. That class still sucked ass though.

I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too.

-RIP Mitch

January 16th, 2011 at 7:36 PM | "All Business" (Score:1)
Mitch Cumstein
Mitch Cumstein's picture
Joined: 10/02/2009
MGoPoints: 9641

We used to call her "All Business" Malone.  But I agree she was a pretty solid teacher.

"A flute with no holes is not a flute. A donut with no hole is a danish"

January 16th, 2011 at 7:34 PM | Out of the Chem Department, (Score:1)
Shaqsquatch
Shaqsquatch's picture
Joined: 04/08/2009
MGoPoints: 3301

Out of the Chem Department, Masato Koreeda, Hashim Al-Hashimi, and Kathleen Nolta are all great.

January 16th, 2011 at 8:18 PM | Cosigned on Masato. Plus he (Score:1)
gomaize11
gomaize11's picture
Joined: 09/02/2009
MGoPoints: 290

Cosigned on Masato. Plus he can write on the chalkboard with both hands at the same time!

January 16th, 2011 at 8:56 PM | Nolta (Score:1)
methylene blue
methylene blue's picture
Joined: 09/24/2010
MGoPoints: 618

I took biochem with Nolta back in 2000.  One of my favorite profs. while I was there.

January 16th, 2011 at 11:13 PM | um, yeah, im going to have to (Score:1)
Abe Froman
Abe Froman's picture
Joined: 09/20/2010
MGoPoints: 1170

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 11:15 PM | Dr. Nolta is amazing, (Score:1)
DIABEETUS
DIABEETUS's picture
Joined: 09/29/2009
MGoPoints: 2311

Dr. Nolta is amazing, definitely my favorite professor here, and I'm already a senior.

Michigan: 903–315–36 (Best in NCAA)
vs Ohio State: 58-44-6
vs Notre Dame: 23-16-1
vs MSU:  68-32-5
vs B1G: 522-197-24
vs SEC:  20-8-1
vs PAC 12: 48-24-1
vs Big 12: 10-5-1<

January 16th, 2011 at 11:56 PM | second (Score:1)
koolaid
Joined: 10/31/2009
MGoPoints: 227

she is a great lecturer

January 16th, 2011 at 7:34 PM | I had Malone for Economics of (Score:1)
goblue2008
goblue2008's picture
Joined: 01/15/2011
MGoPoints: 117

I had Malone for Economics of Crime...great class

January 16th, 2011 at 7:35 PM | Conforth (Score:1)
Vivz
Vivz's picture
Joined: 12/14/2010
MGoPoints: 938

Bruce Conforth-american studdies

and second on Jim Morrow, have him for a smaller class right now and he's amazing

History is written by the victors-Winston Churchill
January 16th, 2011 at 7:52 PM | I second Conforth, very (Score:1)
cm2010
Joined: 07/19/2010
MGoPoints: 211

I second Conforth, very entertaining guy. Also, Paolo Squatriti is a really good history prof.

January 16th, 2011 at 8:05 PM | Ditto (Score:1)
frekulz1400
frekulz1400's picture
Joined: 11/06/2010
MGoPoints: 157

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 9:56 PM | Bruce Conforth is the best, I (Score:1)
bleep bloop
bleep bloop's picture
Joined: 08/05/2010
MGoPoints: 1727

Bruce Conforth is the best, I came into this thread to put him on here.

January 16th, 2011 at 7:36 PM | I'd recommend Hanes Walton (Score:1)
AAB
Joined: 01/14/2009
MGoPoints: 7194

But only because that'd be hilarious in a way you're probably not looking for.

There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.

January 16th, 2011 at 7:37 PM | Shee-it (Score:1)
cheesheadwolverine
cheesheadwolverine's picture
Joined: 10/25/2008
MGoPoints: 2137

Just make sure to tell him to come a half hour before you actually need him.

"I just hope Tressel doesn't fire me"

-Gordon Gee

January 16th, 2011 at 7:38 PM | ha i took his American (Score:1)
goblue2008
goblue2008's picture
Joined: 01/15/2011
MGoPoints: 117

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 7:39 PM | I had him before the '04 election (Score:1)
AAB
Joined: 01/14/2009
MGoPoints: 7194

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. 

There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.

January 16th, 2011 at 7:43 PM | lol yeah and he always talked (Score:1)
goblue2008
goblue2008's picture
Joined: 01/15/2011
MGoPoints: 117

lol yeah and he always talked about philly cheesesteak...every class

January 16th, 2011 at 7:45 PM | I loved his stories (Score:1)
Built Ford Tough
Built Ford Tough's picture
Joined: 01/14/2011
MGoPoints: 129

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 7:49 PM | Nope...nothing can separate (Score:1)
goblue2008
goblue2008's picture
Joined: 01/15/2011
MGoPoints: 117

Nope...nothing can separate the man from his ballcap

January 16th, 2011 at 7:38 PM | posted from iPhone (Score:1)
joelrodz
joelrodz's picture
Joined: 09/26/2009
MGoPoints: 372

Wilbert (Bill) Mckeachie: professor emeritus, psychology and education.

January 16th, 2011 at 8:00 PM | Bill is a legend (Score:1)
maizeNYblue
maizeNYblue's picture
Joined: 11/13/2010
MGoPoints: 204

Bill is a legend. 

January 16th, 2011 at 7:38 PM | Rich rodriguez (Score:1)
michman79
michman79's picture
Joined: 09/01/2009
MGoPoints: 253

Rich rodriguez

January 16th, 2011 at 7:41 PM | Matt Lassiter (Score:1)
Built Ford Tough
Built Ford Tough's picture
Joined: 01/14/2011
MGoPoints: 129

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 7:53 PM | Matt Lassiter would be great (Score:1)
08mms
Joined: 07/02/2009
MGoPoints: 1683

Matt Lassiter would be great if he's still teaching there (History of American Suburbia).  

January 16th, 2011 at 9:52 PM | This is... (Score:1)
Togaroga
Togaroga's picture
Joined: 11/10/2009
MGoPoints: 467

...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 8:40 PM | Second to Markus (Score:1)
gobluehtown
gobluehtown's picture
Joined: 10/26/2008
MGoPoints: 619

really liked that guy.

-A Texas Wolverine

January 16th, 2011 at 9:46 PM | posted from iPhone (Score:1)
MichiganFootball
Joined: 11/02/2008
MGoPoints: 298

I liked Markus alot, probably the best undergrad prof I had

January 16th, 2011 at 8:10 PM | Agreed, Lassiter would be my (Score:1)
BlueVoix
BlueVoix's picture
Joined: 06/25/2009
MGoPoints: 5546

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 9:54 PM | Lassiter thirded or fourthed or whatever (Score:1)
MGoAndy
MGoAndy's picture
Joined: 07/22/2008
MGoPoints: 1685

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 7:44 PM | Ken Mikolowski, RC Creative (Score:1)
Bando Calrissian
Bando Calrissian's picture
Joined: 07/02/2008
MGoPoints: 7911

Ken Mikolowski, RC Creative Writing.  Best teacher I had at the University.

January 16th, 2011 at 9:15 PM | Ken was one of my favorites too (Score:1)
kedwardsuwo
Joined: 03/21/2010
MGoPoints: 27

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 9:30 PM | Publishing pretty much every (Score:1)
Bando Calrissian
Bando Calrissian's picture
Joined: 07/02/2008
MGoPoints: 7911

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 7:44 PM | Arthur Verghoot (Score:1)
UMWest22
Joined: 10/26/2009
MGoPoints: 418

Arthur Verghoot

January 16th, 2011 at 7:46 PM | Oh I had him for Greek Myth (Score:1)
AAB
Joined: 01/14/2009
MGoPoints: 7194

he was excellent.

There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter.

January 16th, 2011 at 8:03 PM | Had him back in '05 I think (Score:1)
wolverhorn
wolverhorn's picture
Joined: 09/03/2010
MGoPoints: 1739

Had him back in '05 I think for mythology, loved that class.  Glad to hear he's still around.

January 16th, 2011 at 8:42 PM | Easiest. Class. (Score:1)
ypsituckyboy
ypsituckyboy's picture
Joined: 06/22/2009
MGoPoints: 1462

Easiest. Class. Ever.

Pretty sure Mike Hart and Henne were in that class with me, that is, when they came.

January 16th, 2011 at 8:42 PM | Easiest. Class. (Score:1)
ypsituckyboy
ypsituckyboy's picture
Joined: 06/22/2009
MGoPoints: 1462

Easiest. Class. Ever.

Pretty sure Mike Hart and Henne were in that class with me, that is, when they came.

January 16th, 2011 at 7:46 PM | Shelly Schreier (Score:1)
CT Wolverine
Joined: 08/15/2010
MGoPoints: 112

Psych Professor, one of the most personable people I've ever met.

January 16th, 2011 at 7:46 PM | Brian Porter-Szuch. Best (Score:1)
MGoChairman
MGoChairman's picture
Joined: 02/21/2010
MGoPoints: 927

Brian Porter-Szuch. Best history professor I've had. 

January 16th, 2011 at 7:53 PM | great with technology, easily (Score:1)
Vivz
Vivz's picture
Joined: 12/14/2010
MGoPoints: 938

great with technology, easily seems to adapt to any environment or questions

History is written by the victors-Winston Churchill
January 16th, 2011 at 9:12 PM | Yes he was good (Score:1)
goblue232
Joined: 01/14/2009
MGoPoints: 235

Seconded. Keeps you interested.

January 16th, 2011 at 7:47 PM | Fitzpatrick:  Modern Wars or (Score:1)
chunkums
chunkums's picture
Joined: 06/30/2008
MGoPoints: 9106

Fitzpatrick:  Modern Wars or the Civil War.  Just downright entertaining to listen to.

For today, goodbye. For tomorrow, good luck. And forever, Go Blue.

January 16th, 2011 at 7:47 PM | Victor Lieberman-Had him for (Score:1)
bsand2053
bsand2053's picture
Joined: 04/14/2010
MGoPoints: 1645

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.

Theme provided by Roopletheme; sidebars adapted from Chris Murphy.