What Students Have to Say . . .

Quotes are a collection of comments gathered from e-mails, teacher evaluations, and comments written as addendums in homework or blog assignments.

"The instructor was very organized and always responded to emails/assignments fast. She's is very knowledgeable and knows how to teach the subject well."   "I was intrigued by the use of blogging in this class. It gave me an open forum to express my ideas rather than regurgitate facts. We actually got a chance to analyze the material."   "Blog form of assignments was excellent."   - Introduction to Cultural Studies, Spring 2008, Columbia College Chicago (student evaluations)	"She's an interactive and thought-provoking teacher. Columbia will really miss her!"     "I loved this course. I feel that it is both relevant and important to current issues. Kristin was an excellent professor!"     "Really great class. The teacher tailored it to the students' needs, so it was much more enjoyable."     "Great class - challenging, and student participation was great. Excellent!"     - Literature and the Culture of Cyberspace, Fall 2007, Columbia College Chicago (student evaluations)
"When asked on an anonymous teacher evaluation, at Columbia College Chicago, what aspects of Reviewing the Arts (Spring ’06) were most helpful, the following students replied:    the reading materials: handouts/textbooks were great  the assignments were fun and helpful in analyzing the class materials  the class discussions were equally as helpful in farming opinions on the class subject matter  out of class field trips were a welcomed experience    “The writing assignments were where I really got into some topics. Kristin’s praise served not only to motivate me to dig deeper into the issues, but also expand the ways in which I approach them.”	These student comments were in response to an evaluation of Introduction to Literature in the Spring of 2006, Columbia College Chicago:    “[The instructor] was passionate, not just knowledgeable. What was most helpful was [Kristin’s] objective grading – I appreciated [her] consideration of individual ideas/interpretation, flexibility, and providing examples of strong work.”    “The instructor went out of her way to provide help on assignments I was struggling with.”    “Everything in this course was worth learning; Kristin is an amazing teacher, person, etc. – she taught me so much, and I learned more in this one class than any other I have taken.”
“I want to say that I had a great time in [Reviewing the Arts]. Our class discussions, as well as the papers have pushed me that extra step... and have made me think and dig even deeper than I ever have with this type of work.”    (Senior, Reviewing the Arts, Fall 2005)    “Thank you for a great semester. I loved the class [Reviewing the Arts] and took so much of it with me into my work, thank you.”    (Senior, Reviewing the Arts, Spring, 2006)    “On another note, it was a great semester! I never liked writing before I entered your classroom, but now, I guess I'm not scared to write about what I think anymore.”    (First year Composition I student, Fall 2005)    Columbia College Chicago	“Reviewing the Arts was one of the most rigorous classes I have taken in my academic career. Very few of the classes in any of the three colleges and universities I have attended previously have managed to be such a challenge, without leaving a negative aftertaste. Kristin Scott was an instructor who was interested in everybody's work and opinion . . . she managed to broaden the scope of some of the students' understanding in many issues. Her choices of texts- both literary and visual - were varied, appropriate, and contemporary, which I believe was yet another appealing and strong aspect of her class. I congratulate her for the ungodly amounts of reading which she assigned to the class: even though our society moves more and more to the understanding that texts are mostly visual and cultural (rather than literary and in print). I believe that it is an important aspect of learning to actually remember how to read, and read texts which are not in the sound-byte format we are accustomed to. Reviewing the Arts with Kristin Scott is a class which I would recommend highly to any student who wishes to take a rewarding challenge in English/Cultural Studies.”  - Senior Cultural Studies’ student, Columbia College, Fall 2005
"I had you for Reviewing the Arts spring semester of this year. It was one of the last classes I took before graduating and one of the most influential. . . . Reviewing the Arts was one of the best classes I took at Columbia. It really pushed me to think beyond what I normally would. I hope the new semester is going well for you. Thank you again for being such an outstanding teacher."    - email from an alumna, Columbia College Chicago, 2006	“I really appreciated all her comments and support this semester. It's so refreshing (and damn near impossible) to have an instructor who is interested and compassionate about her craft and those to whom she teaches it. So, rock on, I say. Rock on.”    - First year Composition I student, Fall 2005, Columbia College Chicago
"[Kristin was] probably the most knowledgeable out of any instructor I have encountered. All the work I have produced in this class continues to mean a great deal to me. We read the most amazing articles in this class, all of them different from another. Almost everything we did in this class led me to new ideas within my own work. The most important thing I will take from this class is the ability to view art, my own included, in a new light, one that is critical."    - comments from Reviewing the Arts student evaluations, Fall, 2005, Columbia College Chicago	In terms of grades: "[Kristin was] very fair, took into account an individual's strengths and weaknesses."    Aspect of course that was most helpful: "The fact that conceptually the course material was very 'intelligently' linked and designed. Every week brought a new depth to a continued analysis. Kristin succeeded in creating a continually connective curriculum."    - comments from Reviewing the Arts student evaluations, Fall, 2005, Columbia College Chicago
"Dorothy Allison’s visit last Wednesday allowed us to visualize literature as more than words on a piece of paper. She is a great example of using literature to express a person’s feelings and inner-thoughts. Many of us find it hard to express our feelings or even acknowledge the feelings we have . . . without debate or people questioning your truths.”   - Senior, Introduction to Literature, Spring, 2005, Columbia College Chicago	“Dorothy Allison put my mind to ease over my biggest problem with writing . . . She eased my mind by telling me how normal it is for a writer not to be able to finish many of their stories. She told me how she could fill a file cabinet with all of her unfinished stories. I was glad to hear this because I have been losing faith in my writing in my writing ability mainly because of that reason . . . I realize now that I do not need to stress as I much as I have been. Thank you, Ms. Scott, for going the extra mile to get [Dorothy Allison] to come to our class. It is an experience I will not soon forget.”   - Introduction to Literature student, Spring, 2005, Columbia College Chicago
"Kristin promoted a very comfortable discussion environment. [The] reading assignments were outstanding. [Kristin] encouraged me to expand and grow."   Aspect of course that was most helpful: "The readings, and the way they all interconnected, or came back into a new light under new discoveries/further additions to the argument . . . astounded me. Kristin is a brilliant instructor."    - comments from Reviewing the Arts student evaluations, Fall, 2005, Columbia College Chicago	"I felt comfortable speaking in front of the class. My work continued to get better throughout the course. I participated a lot because my opinions were taken into consideration in one form or another. I liked the articles and readings that were chosen. I became a stronger writer. I'm not very good at writing essays, and I believe that I have become a much stronger writer because of this class. I hope I can have Kristin in the near future for another course."       - comments from Composition I student evaluations, Fall, 2005, Columbia College Chicago
"[Kristin] knew her stuff . . . [and] if you didn't understand, she was available after class. If we didn't agree, there was room to tell her so. In terms of my work, three drafts later, I had a great piece. [Kristin was] always available outside of class by email, phone, whatever. All the essays made me a better writer; and Kristin graded very fairly." Aspect of course that was most helpful: "The feedback on the essays, both student and teacher."   -  comments from Composition I student evaluations, Fall, 2005, Columbia College Chicago	"The instructor [Kristin] really cared, and all the assignments were creative and fun. She was an amazing instructor."   "[Kristin] was thoughtful and passionate, encouraging and caring. She had a non-rigid syllabus, helped the class, and expanded on subject matter and discussion."    "[Kristin] is very encouraging and helpful. She stimulated creative and useful thought and discussions."    -  comments from Composition I student evaluations, Fall, 2005, Columbia College Chicago
“Having Dorothy Allison come to talk to our class was one of the most amazing things I’ve seen. I’ve been to artist and writer readings in the past, but none of them had the passion and influence she did . . . One of the strange things is that I’m a graphic design major and writing and literature weren’t always my favorite topics, but she has influenced me. I have been reading more than usual. I would like to thank you for being able to have Dorothy visit our class in between her busy schedule. Thank you.”  - Introduction to Literature student, Spring, 2005, Columbia College Chicago	“Thanks for the wonderful class. I suffer from a great fear of English comp classes, but yours was awesome! You helped me understand everything very well. I enjoyed writing. I used to write a lot . . . not journals or poems, more of an essay form. I think [this class] has renewed my interest. Too bad you don’t teach comp II next semester. It was fun, thank you!”    - comments from Composition I, student evaluations, Fall, 2005, Columbia College Chicago