English 337: Modern American Literature

TR, 2-3:20

Registration # 331771

English 441: William Faulkner

TR, 11-12:20

Registration # 321519

The sheer number of professors in the English department can often be intimidating, especially come registration time. Nothing can get the semester off on the right foot like getting a tremendous instructor for a class loaded with good material.

When in doubt, go with Neil Schmitz. His command of the subject matter is unlike any I have ever seen before. Students in his class may shy away due to the fact that his breadth of knowledge is often intimidating. Before this makes all the quiet types run away, fearing the "in your face" kind of environment, Prof. Schmitz's class appeals to both the sit in the back-of-the-room silent student (you know who you are) and the vocal, comment-about-everything kind as well (and you definitely know who you are). There is no pressure to speak up, though it never hurts. Most of the time, it is likely that you'll want to just sit back and take in all that he has to say. One word of warning: he takes the roll each class, so if making it there everyday is not in the semester plans, his classes may be the wrong choice.

I had the pleasure of taking his 337 class, and it was probably the best I have encountered in my time here. The jem, though, is Faulkner. It is not offered every semester, so one never knows when it will arise again. One of the great imbibers of the 20th century (Faulkner, not Schmitz), his work is fascinating to the last. Having done some Faulkner with Prof. Schmitz, I can testify that it will be a truly enlightening experience. Plus, he will probably throw a little "Faulkner Jeopardy" in just to keep the students honest. All in all, he is one of the great all around people one will find in this often cavernous department.

Each of the two classes has a capacity of 45 seats.