French: French Language, Society & Culture Through Paris, Alexandra Borer
If I weren’t already an unbearable French major, this class would have made me one. Alexandra Borer is maybe the most Parisian Parisian I’ve ever met (she holds her chalk like it’s a cigarette and talks about how she and her friends used to go participate in protests they knew nothing about just because it was something fun to do) and super sweet and accommodating. The class somehow manages to feel incredibly laid-back while still having you do actual work—but it’s also some of the most fun work I’ve ever gotten the chance to do (like writing a creative story about a traumatized Italian immigrant in post-WWI Paris to learn about the history of immigration in Paris). It’s a perfect choice for someone wanting an upper-level French class that’s a little bit of everything—history, literature, art, culture—and a guaranteed highlight of your day.

History: The American Civil War, Stephanie McCurry
“Subject matter is exactly what the class name delineates, but Professor Mccurry really and truly infuses the class with such an intellectual life and abundance. She does an incredibly fantastic job approaching the class as an integration between recounting political/war developments and also examining the very real, very human experiences on the ground during the civil war. She also knows her stuff and is not afraid to call out the factual inaccuracy of civil war revisionists. The primary texts assigned are often profoundly moving and insightful, and as a bonus, the TAs are fantastic and making the class less intimidating if you’re not a history major/concentrator.”

Economics: Economics of Gender, Homa Zarghamee
Professor Zarghamee uses basic economic models to explain marriage, divorce, discrimination, etc. The content is super relevant and current and taught in a way that is extremely engaging. The readings for the class are super interesting and range from gender theory all the way to economic studies and New York Times articles. Overall a great class for anyone interested in economics—basic knowledge of models is helpful but not necessary.