A perfect example of why a great professor does not always make for a great class. Shapiro is one of the best profs at Columbia, hands down; her energy and passion fill the room and reverberate off the walls. Her lectures are incredibly well organized and make for great notes. In addition to being an expert in her field, she seems to know everything there is to know about both pop and haute culture, filling her lectures to the brim with references to everything from obscure, artsy foreign films to cheesy 80's pop to The Simpsons. Slightly insane and a virtual wellspring of corny jokes, but always incredibly engaging. Also really dedicated to her students; on Sept. 11 she sent out her home number and told students they could call as late as 3 am if they wanted to talk for any reason. Very clear about the course requirements, INCREDIBLE about answering students' questions, just overall a fantastic, brilliant teacher who makes students her #1 priority. You almost forget while you're under her spell that you're being forced to memorize a bunch of long Latin names and annoying details about every single known human ancestor. Not her course, she only fills in from time to time, and I suspect it would be a better class if she took more liberties with it. Recommended for the experience of having her, and because it's a way of fulfilling the science requirement without having to take a lab, but you won't likely find the material itself particularly thrilling.