GoldJanuary 09, 2004
Shapiro, James 
The Book Review
Please keep in mind that this review is more than 5 years old.
This class is one of the only English classes at Columbia where you can practice your writing. Professor Shapiro expects you to put your heart and soul into each review that you write, and this takes a lot of effort. But it's worth it. You will learn how to read and write book reviews. The syllabus is unique and interesting. Shapiro is loads of fun and knows how to keep a class entertained- there is never a dull moment. He is a bit self-important and thinks his role as an academic is just as important as a doctor who saves millions of lives- but as long as you don't mind a bit of professorial arrogance, he is a very smart man with a lot to offer. He seems to care about his students and is willing to listen to them. This was one of my favorite classes at Columbia!
Difficult! 3 book reviews (which take hours upon hours to write- he wants only the best) and tons of reading. Each week, you have to read the New York Times Book Review, London Review of Books, Times Literary Supplement, and New York Review of Books. And on top of this, there's usually a weekly course packet. Still, the heavy workload is worth it.
Directory Data
| Dept/Subj | Directory Course | Professor | Year | Semester | Time | Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENCL / ENGL | ENCL ENGL W3987: The Book Review | James Shapiro | 2005 | Spring | W / 9:00-10:50 AM | 1 |
| ENCL / ENGL | ENCL ENGL W3987: The Book Review | James Shapiro | 2003 | Fall | R / 11:00-12:50 PM | 1 |