June 16, 2020
NOTE: This is the first of a two-part blog post about professors at Amherst. There’s so much to say that I decided to dedicate this first part to the more concrete aspects of what professors do and how they teach at Amherst. Part II will cover the more abstract, but just-as-important topic of how professors support students beyond the classroom, as whole individuals, including how faculty handled the turmoil of the transition to remote learning in Spring 2020.
Professors can make or break an education. Amherst is no different, and while professors here certainly fall into the “make” category, their contributions extend so much further that academics. Amherst professors are insightful experts, dedicated teachers, and genuine guides through the Amherst experience.
On one of the first tours I ever gave at Amherst, a student sheepishly asked me “So, uh… what’s the deal with professors?” This question stuck with me because when I was applying to college, I didn’t know anything about what professors were like as teachers, as mentors, or even really just as people. But I think our faculty are one of the best parts of Amherst; they deserve a proper introduction to our prospective students, and hopefully readers of this blog can walk away feeling like they know a little more about what the deal with professors really is.
All professors at Amherst conduct their own original work in their fields, from the arts to the humanities to the hard sciences. This gives them unique insights into the subjects they teach, and because all courses are always taught by professors instead of teaching assistants, we as students benefit from these insights as well. Students actually get to participate in this work too – at an undergraduate-only institution, we don’t have to compete with graduate students, who already have a degree in the field, for research opportunities; from the moment you step on campus, there are plenty of opportunities to get hands-on involvement in any field you’re interested in.
This summer, in addition to my work blogging and giving tours, I’m also working as a research assistant for an economics professor. I had never met this professor before this opportunity (in fact, I’ve never even taken an economics course), but because I have experience with geographic information systems that she needed, I was able to join her work. In short, I’m a history and computer science major, working for an economics professor, doing geography and meteorology research. Interdisciplinarity is a big thing around here, and it just goes to show how much there is to do and learn at Amherst if you’re willing to put yourself out there.
As much as Amherst professors are engaged in and excited about their research, teaching is their true passion. They came to Amherst because they wanted to be in a small classroom setting interacting with Amherst students and our ideas. Very rarely is a class session (much less an entire course) primarily in a lecture-based style; it is almost always a discussion between the professor and the students, as well as among the students. Because of the open curriculum, no student ever has to take a course they don’t want to, and no professor ever has to teach a course they don’t want to either; everyone in each of your classes is there because they’re excited about the material and excited to discuss it with others, making for an energetic and dynamic classroom environment.
Overall, faculty at Amherst provide a unique and rich learning experience for students. From their piercing insights into the subject matter to their dedication to fostering a thorough understanding and enduring curiosity among their students, Amherst professors provide an education second to none. Amherst wouldn’t be the same without them.
Be sure to check out Part II to learn more about everything professors do outside the classroom as well! In the meantime, please reach out to me at drao22@amherst.edu with any questions about faculty, Amherst in general, or the college application process more broadly.