GoldDecember 30, 2004
Kockelman, Paul 
[ANTH W4042] Agent, Person, Subject, Self
Please keep in mind that this review is more than 5 years old.
Honestly, Kockelman is the best professor I've ever had at Columbia. The man is brillant, funny, and very approachable. If you are interested in language and capable of thinking outside the box, this is a professor you don't want to miss. He explains very complicated concepts in a clear manner, and had changed the way I look at the world. From Language and Culture to Agent, Person, Subject, Self, Kockelman shines as a linguist and an anthropologist.
My number one suggestion for those of you who take his classes: go sit down and visit with him! He is incredibly personal and helpful outside of the classroom. He can listen to ramblings and unclear ideas and help you formulate a clear thought process. Even if you just want to talk to him in general, I promise you he has read something on your topic of interest.
I can't say enough good things about this man. His examples in class are hilarious. From getting on the floor and imitating a dog's tools and affordances, to quotes like "Freedom! Democracy! Driftwood!" or a random poem about a ruedebbega he keeps you on your toes with great humorous moments.
There is a great deal of reading for the class, some drab, some really interesting. However, you don't HAVE to do ALL the reading. We wrote two papers comparing two of the readings- the best thing to do is talk to him about the paper topics. He knows his stuff, so make sure you know yours. Otherwise, this is one of those classes where you care less about the grade and more about what you're really learning.
December 13, 2004
Kockelman, Paul
[ANTH W4042] Agent, Person, Subject, Self
Please keep in mind that this review is more than 5 years old.
prof kockelman is enlightening, entertaining and enthusiastic. he delivers brilliant lectures in a very lucid fashion and always goes above and beyond the readings, synthesizing the material in a new and usually fascinating way. the class is fantastic- it is the best class i have taken, and paul is the ideal professor.
do whatever you can to take this class with him
heavy readings- they are very interesting, but they needn't all be done to do well in class. the grade consists of participation and 2 essays ( 5 and 10 pages respectively).
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