By Anna Meany–
What a wonderfully accurate cliché: college is exactly what you make of it. Spending four-plus years and racking up thousands of dollars in debt will only make college worth it if I’m studying something I love. I’ve always loved reading and art, so I didn’t hesitate to continue my education in those paths.
It’s often those oddball teachers who catch our attention. The ones who take extra care to connect with students in class are those who leave lasting impressions. My favorite professor is Andrew Rabin.
He taught English 300, Intro to English Studies, and it was required for my English major.
While his career focus is Medieval Studies, my course covered a broad range of literature – from the book of Genesis to a 1960s historical novel. Incorrectly, I assumed that this introductory course would be just as bland as my other intro classes – I was afraid of a lack of central focus.
Being a small class of about 15 students, we were able to freely question and state our opinions. What huge lecture classes lack is the discussion and student interaction that’s made possible with smaller class sizes.
He taught us that we could learn about humanity through timeless literary expression; even ancient texts like “The Odyssey” apply themes which are popular in modern literature.
In showing us a 1930’s version of “King Kong,” we analyzed the image of a beast in comparison to Homer’s presentation of the Cyclops in The Odyssey. His presentation of a sociological approach to literature is why I began to share his passion for understanding people through novels, poetry, myths and plays.
It wasn’t long into a recent visit to his office that he began to explain the laws regarding minors being sentenced to the death penalty in both Anglo-Saxon England and the U.S. He told me that it was 2005 until the practice became against the law in the United States, while Anglo-Saxon England deemed it illegal in 939.
He then exclaimed, “That’s amazing! We’re still catching up with the Middle Ages!”
After literally laughing out loud at such a ridiculously true statement, I recalled his class and his constant connection of ancient work to modern thought and realized that to study literature for three more years, I would have to understand that concept. I need the skills to study time, culture and themes in works.
But it wasn’t only the subject matter that made the class such an experience. Coming into Bingham Humanities Builidng every Tuesday and Thursday, Professor Rabin brought the same amount of passion to engage us in the text.
I can’t tell you how many professors seem less-than-stoked to stand before us and lecture. Monotone voices put me to sleep! Bring on volume and hand gestures! It’s those qualities that he brought to class that increased attentiveness.
Professor Rabin is currently on sabbatical, but says “I’m busier now than ever…It’s not time off.”
He’s working on some articles and book manuscripts, including an article concerning the death penalty in Anglo-Saxon England.
I couldn’t justify studying anything else at U of L. Similar to Professor Rabin, my other English professors seem to have an undying passion for literature that makes me want to learn more.
Having a great professor can change your entire mind-set in college, and I’m positive that my English 300 class has and will help me throughout the rest of my college career.
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Photo: Nathan Gardner/The Louisville Cardinal
