Original Article: http://dartreview.com/archives/1998/09/30/the_beautiful_dartmouths_best_professors.php
Wednesday, September 30, 1998
John Rassias
French
Rassias is perhaps Dartmouth's most famous professor. His innovative theories on the teaching of foreign languages led to Dartmouth's LSA programs, drill sessions, and language lab. His teaching style verges on the outrageous. In class, he dresses up as Montesquieu, throws raw meat around, breaks eggs on students' heads, and rips his shirt off — all in the line of teaching. When he teaches, students flock to his class. He even occasionally teaches introductory French. Rassias' instruction is something no Dartmouth student should miss.
David Lagomarsino
History
Professor Lagomarsino is not afraid to buck the trend of political correctness and conventional wisdom. For example, he teaches that the inquisition was more fair than most judicial procedures of its time. Lagomarsino's most popular class is History 44, 'Spain in the Golden Age,' where he takes you inside Spain's deep labyrinth. Take his course to find out which Pope kept stolen horses in his confessionals.
Peter Saccio
English
An engaging lecturer, Saccio is Dartmouth's premier Shakespeare scholar. He teaches a great course on Modern British Drama as well. Professor Saccio truly loves the material, and this is readily apparent in class. His flair for the dramatic manifests itself in his teaching style — this is a man who used to wear a cape around Hanover. He is therefore an ideal man to teach Shakespeare. His comments on students' papers are especially helpful.
William Cook
English
Professor Cook's natural gift for reading poetry and his legendary sense of humor make him one of the English Department's most popular teachers. Those attracted by his charisma are rewarded with his remarkable analysis of the works he teaches. The only downside: many students are turned away from his classes due to overcrowding.
Pamela Crossley
History
Professor Crossley is one of the most intellectually rigorous professors at the College. A student can fill a ream of notes from one of her lectures. Yet, her amusing anecdotes about historical figures manage to break up the mind-boggling density of each class. She speaks innumerable Asian languages and is one of the worlds leading experts on the Manchus. Take her Chinese history offerings and 'The Intellectual History of East Asia.'
Robert Fogelin
Philosophy
A preeminent Hume scholar, Professor Fogelin also teaches superb classes on Plato, Kant, and Wittgenstein. Fogelin introduces his students to the complete philosophical world-views of each thinker covered in his class, and this teaching style proves to be most effective. Fogelin is perhaps the best equipped professor to help one understand the cryptic writings of Kant.
Charles Stinson
Religion
This man is a ball of nervous energy. He is always eager to lecture all who will listen, even outside the classroom. Don't think of interrupting Stinson while he's talking. Professor Stinson's passionate lectures on Catholic theology are convincing, even proselytising. He believes in it, after all. If any of you sign up for office hours, we suggest you set aside several hours and be sure to bring a chair.
Ehud Ben-Or
Religion
Ben-Or's Religion classes rank with the best offered at Dartmouth. In class, Ben-Or thrills students with his extensive vocabulary and takes 'great care in teaching.' He has a strong, yet considered, stance on the Jewish tradition, and carefully explains how he has come to his various conclusions. If you have an interest in studying Judaism or simply want to experience a great professor at work, take one of Ben-Or's classes.
David Wykes
English
Professor Wykes' dedication to teaching is demonstrated by his wellÒprepared lectures, extensive office hours, and pages of comments written on students' works. His English 60 lectures on the King James Bible are made interesting by his combination of scholarly language and dry English wit.
Donald Kreider
Math and Computer Science
Many students cite Professor Kreider's positive attitude as the only thing that kept them going on those long nights of frustrating problem solving. He is able to simplify the most difficult and esoteric math formulae and programs, a great benefit to confused students.
Kenneth Shewmaker
History
Professor Shewmaker's History 24, U.S. Foreign Relations to 1865, is not a course to overlook. Although the reading is onerous, he is a demanding discussion leader and a tough grader. His lectures are so spirited that some students believe he knew Daniel Webster personally.
Ellis Shookman
German
Professor Shookman's German literature classes are outstanding. Shookman's teaching style is fluid yet unobtrusive, allowing students to discourse freely and develop ideas on their own.
He is always willing to help students with anything from learning the most basic grammar to understanding large-scale literary movements, and is also extremely understanding with any problems students might encounter over the course of the term. Even if you don't speak German, his classes in translation are excellent. It should be noted, further, that the German department as a whole is exceptional.
Jeremy Rutter
Classics
Professor Rutter's Classical Archaeology courses are very challenging, but his passion for classical studies is quite invigorating. His classrooms are lively, yet serious, and he encourages group activities as well as independent thinking. This former Chairman of the Classics departments has amassed a tremendous amount of knowledge and is another great part of the department.
Barbara Will
English
Unlike many of her colleagues in the English department, Professor Will provides a savvy, critical analysis of postmodern literature without dwelling on self-aggrandizing literary theory. Her English 55 class focuses on actual writers and their work, her lectures are very clear and well-ordered, and she skillfully directs class discussions.
Michael Knetter
Economics
Economics 10 is a mandatory course for economics majors, and if you find yourself in this class, Professor Knetter is the professor you want. He has a casual manner, and he often uses characters from a recent movie or his favorite basketball player to illustrate a difficult statistical concept. Knetter offers a rigorous teaching style. He does his best to stimulate class participation and make economics fun, a skill few other Economics professors possess.
Roger Masters
Government
Professor Masters is the Government Department's Rousseau expert. He teaches Government 6 and 64 (Modern Political Thought). Masters is also on the cutting edge of interdisciplinary research studying the nature of politics, dealt with in Government 72. Although friendly, he is a tough, unconventional discussion leader.
Heide Whelan
History
Whelan is a professor who presents a balanced and sound view of Soviet history. She gives solid, precisely ordered lectures and always has an anecdote or two to spruce up an otherwise dolorous subject.
Michael Mastanduno
Government
Professor Mastanduno is widely considered to be the best all-around Government professor. His remarkable ability to present both sides of any issue is particularly rare and worthwhile. The students who line up outside his office to discuss U.S. foreign policy and international trade are a testament to his appeal.
Alan Lelchuk
Comparative Literature
Lelchuk is frequently on a leave term, but with good reason — he's an accomplished and renowned writer and critic. He also happens to be a wonderful teacher, and avoids the present craze over literary theory and race-class-gender ideology to focus on the literary art of the writing itself.
Lelchuk also does a terrific job of involving his students in discussion. Dartmouth is lucky to have Alan Lelchuk — take his class.