Analysis of German mystical writing, its roots in ancient Greek texts, revolutionary impact, links with other mystical traditions, and influence on secular literature. Texts include Hildegard von Bingen, Meister Eckhart, Mechthild von Magdeburg, Novalis, Rilke, etc. Taught in English.
4
UnitsOptional
Grading1, 2, 3
PasstimeUpper division only
Level LimitLetters and science
CollegeThe professor yelled at students during lectures unprompted. He would pick on (usually female) students he thought weren't paying attention on their computers, except they were just taking notes on his obtuse lectures. Professor used a desk meant for disabled students to sit at and lectured, 10-pg midterm and final. He refused to make powerpoints.
Professor Wolfson is very knowledgeable and interesting. I honestly really enjoyed his lectures. However, the class is graded based on just two papers, both required to be between 12-20 pages and given to us only a week before the due date. As someone with a very busy schedule and a part-time job, this is an unreasonable timeframe for this work.
Incredibly boring lectures. Would yell at students sometimes if he thought they were playing on their computers even if they weren't. The class was just a bit pretentious and I would not take it again.
I try to look on the positive side of most things in live. Professor Wolfson obviously knows what he's talking about and many of the in-class readings were even written by him. The main drawback with the class was his blatant lack of participation throughout the course (never emailed us once) and his serious lack of structure throughout the class.
Very familiar with his material but speaks at a very low volume, content is difficult to grasp and he uses no PowerPoint or slides while presenting so there is nothing to reference back to. Need to buy books for class but lecture is most important. No assignments just 2 papers based on lectures and readings.
Wolfson is clearly an expert at what he teaches. If you don't go into the class with an overly rigid mindset you can learn a lot. He is modest and often apologized when referring to his own work in class but what he does is fascinating, lectures often referred to gender & eroticism. Got a C for unrelated reasons; the work is not overly hard.