<p>My experiences with faculty in the Smith English department have been nothing but positive. Though I have not taken classes specifically within that department, two of the three professors at the helm of my American Studies course teach English, as did the professor for Reacting to the Past, Bill Oram. He, in fact, is particularly renowned at Smith for his course on Shakespeare, and it always has a long waiting list. </p>
<p>I would say that all of these professors are very serious scholars and very well-respected in their field. Visit their offices and you’ll see rows of well-loved books from all parts of English literature, as well as many books they have written themselves. Their presentation of material in the classroom has always been engaging and they seem to reflect a department that thrives on intelligent discourse between professors and students. You’re not going to be slouching in the back of the classroom and doodling here. They expect and demand active participation and thorough, critical readings of material. In return, they give you profound insight into whatever you happen to be studying today. Also, some of them are downright hilarious (Michael Thurston is brilliantly funny). </p>
<p>Now, I know that sounded kind of vague, but as I’m reviewing physics it is the best I can do.</p>
<p>I have the utmost respect for Wellesley and almost went there, only to change my mind at the last minute (and I mean the last minute), but obviously my experiences there are even more limited than with the Smith English department. I’m sure their professors are equally as impressive, but they have neither Bill Oram nor Michael Thurston nor the brilliant Floyd Cheung, and for that I have to vote for Smith. :D</p>