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Keep it curious, Betjemann
Unconventional lectures from OSU English professor inspire students to pursue curiosities, think independently
Anneke Tucker
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: News
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To some, this is merely a quote from one of Peter Betjemann's lectures; to others, it's a bold statement by which Betjemann lives his life.
He is a Princeton alumnus, a former bicycling coach and a professor of English at OSU, so it's easy to see why his lectures aren't the typical 50-minute note-taking frenzies: Betjemann prompts the curiosity, and his students direct the lecture.
And sometimes Betjemann's students don't leave class after the routine 50 minutes, but for another reason.
"At one point we were studying a novel by [Nathaniel] Hawthorne, which was a lot about witchcraft and strange things," said Meaghan Josh, a senior in history.
"He lectured overtime, because halfway through, the clock stopped working so class got out late. Apparently, though, exactly one and a half hours later, the clock restarted - at the correct time. It was creepy. He even sent out an e-mail about it to the class!"
Betjemann makes a point to have students find their own conclusions in his lectures. He finds ambiguity in literature, considering the contradictory nature of novels and writing as a way to discover personal opinions and meanings.
"If we pick the right five words and they are able to find a point and a deeper meaning, that's the beauty of literature," Betjemann said.
Students find it easy to speak up in his class because there are no wrong answers - they are able to contribute to a discussion that doesn't necessarily have a single direction or one meaning.
Betjemann's dedication and intensity may have come from his past. After graduating with his bachelor's degree from Vassar College, he attended Princeton for his graduate work. But before this, he taught Latin at a girls' school in Massachusetts, an experience which he describes as "hilarious."
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posted 10/04/09 @ 5:18 PM PST
Good article. I am enrolled in one of this classes this term and find it to be very interesting. I have never taken a college level lit class before, and he has made it very engaging and fun so far. (Continued…)
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