Creating a class schedule can be a tricky thing to do. Students have to select the proper courses for their major as well as electives, and often consider their decisions based on the professor teaching the class. But when the tables are turned it’s interesting to see what selections the professors would make for themselves. I met with a few professors to hear what they had to say.
Missy Alexander is Assistant Dean for the School of Communications and the Arts and Professor in Communications as well as an advisor to many students.
My 575: If you had the chance to step into a student’s shoes at Marist what course would you choose to take?
MA: If I had the time I would take a sequence of classes, from political science to history and then language, specifically focusing on the Middle East. I would take an Arabic course and different courses in history of Afghanistan and Palestine. I think I would begin with World Religions and then focus on Islam.
My 575: Why would you choose these courses? What about them is it that interests you?
MA: It is our reality. The Middle East is broiled in our politics, our economics our military and many people don’t know much about it. I know some but I want to know more.
My 575: How does studying this affect the communications field?
MA: It asks the question of how to address communication issues that cannot be simplified through advertising or through public relations. I think this will help us to better learn perceive our relationships with them and how to create a shared reality.
My 575: Are there certain teachers whose classes you would want to take?
MA: Well I’ve never had my colleagues as teachers so it’d be difficult to judge but I think Lynn Eckert and JoAnne Meyers for Politics, Dr. Mar Peter-Raoul for Religion and Moira Fitzgibbons. Those are just some who have struck me as people with really interesting ideas. Going down the list of faculty at Marist I would co-teach or sit in with it’d be a long list. We have such a dynamic faculty at Marist.
Gregory Machacek is an English Professor and teaches Themes in Shakespeare, 17th Century Literature, Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman Literature.
My 575: If you were a student at Marist college what course would you take here? Other than your own class of course.
GM: Thinking of this as if I were to do college over again, I would take more studio art classes. I actually took none as an undergrad and think that’d be fun.
My 575: Why didn’t you take it in college?
GM: I was a very serious academic student. Taking other classes just seemed frivolous.
My 575: Is there a particular class within studio art that you would register for at Marist?
GM: No, but I would start out with drawing, where I think most artists begin and then move up to painting.
My 575: Do you know of a specific professor at Marist that you would like to take these classes with?
GM: I know some colleagues in the Art Department such as Richard Lewis and Donise English; I think I’d take classes with them.
Annamaria Maccioca is an Attorney for a part-time practice as well as an elected Town Justice. At Marist College she is a Pre-Law Advisor and full time professor teaching Legal Writing and Research and Real Property this semester.
My 575: If you could take a course at Marist College not in Law what would it be?
AM: Not in Law! Hmm, I was going to say Law and Society…
My 575: Well, what do you love about Law and Society?
AM: It gives the social dynamic to the legal infrastructure I work in. Its social interest is my passion. It’s the intersection between politics, economics, and social services, how they intermix with the legal system and help to create a good focus on the legal profession.
My 575: Is there anything in another field that interests you?
AM: Hmm, an American or British Literature Course. It would provide a wonderful escape into a good plot or story. If I could only take one I would choose British Lit.
My 575: Why would you prefer British Literature?
AM: Because of the romantic poets and the Bronte sisters. To read those classics would be awesome… Core classes put you out there to take classes in other areas. Some people would fall into a trap if it wasn’t required and never see the opportunity to branch out of their own major.
