“University teachers should seek to improve their competence and endeavour to set the content, objectives, methods, and results of research in an individual discipline within the framework of a coherent world vision,” Ven. Pope John Paul II wrote in his 1990 apostolic constitution on Catholic universities, Ex Corde Ecclesiae. “Christians among the teachers are called to be witnesses and educators of authentic Christian life, which evidences attained integration between faith and life, and between professional competence and Christian wisdom. All teachers are to be inspired by academic ideals and by the principles of an authentically human life.” Recognizing the important role professors can play not only as instructors but also as mentors and models, the Rover staff presents the following recommendations for the 2013 fall semester.

Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics:

Professor Huy Huynh’s Probability course is everything an applied math major could ask for. Huy makes it clear that he cares about his students’ understanding of the material, frequently checking to make sure he’s moving at an appropriate pace, and he builds up a foundation of probability skills starting from the basics that prepare you well for his tests. Huy is also very accessible and kind, and he makes class fun and engaging.

Art History:

For upper-level art history and history buffs, pilgrims at heart and those yearning to experience the authentic environment of the objects and legends they study, check out the course Road to Santiago de Compostela. Cross-listed as an art history and history course, art history professor Danielle Joyner and history professor Julia Constable will teach the art historical context of the relics of St. James and the history of the medieval pilgrimage in Spain. Because the pilgrimage still takes place today, the class will journey to Spain to walk the sacred route over fall break.

Biology:

Professor Michael Pfrender makes the Evolution course—what could be a dreary meander through the history of life—into an engaging discussion of the mechanisms behind the evolution of life. He’s very approachable, gives extra credit opportunities, and his tests are doable if you study his lectures well. He is also very accommodating to pre-med students who need to miss class for interviews, and he frequently finishes early on Fridays—what more could you ask for?

Shaun Lee’s medical microbiology class is a great class for biology majors and is cross-listed as a poverty studies course. You will learn about the basic principles of disease causing microbial pathogens. . . but enjoy doing so. Lee is described by one Rover staffer who has taken this class as a “man among men.”  He is very relatable,  has passion for the subject and is invested in making it understandable for students by suggesting interesting and creative ways of grasping the material.

Chemistry:

Professor James Parise is a fantastic Organic Chemistry I and II professor. The course material is challenging, but it is clear that he does all that he can to make his lectures, office hours, help sessions and practice problems as helpful as they can be in preparing his students for exams. He’s also very approachable if you make the effort to talk to him, and he punctuates his organized lectures with “punny” jokes periodically.

Classics:

Tadeusz Mazurek teaches many courses that once encompassed much of classical education. If you are looking to get a serious liberal education, the classics department is a good place to start, and Mazurek provides a great introduction. He is an enthusiastic, energetic professor who is always willing to make time for his students. He’s also got a great sense of humor.

Economics:

Professor Eric Sims is teaching two sections of intermediate macroeconomic theory next fall. If you’re taking macro, do it with Eric Sims—a powerful role model and witness to the Catholic faith.

Consider Kasey Buckles’ Economics of the Family. This course covers trends in the effects of women in the workplace, the gender wage gap, the effects of “the pill” and other topics regarding family practices. The information is presented from an unbiased, academic perspective and allows you to build your understanding of the marriage market, the household production function and the models of fertility.

Education, Schooling, and Society:

You will never be bored in a class with Maria McKenna.  She is an engaging teacher, who lectures little, but rather designs her classes to be seminar style.  McKenna always makes interesting connections with topics not technically included in the class and encourages students to make connections with their other classes and other areas of interest.  She is a great person and a great teacher.

English:

Steve Tomasula is an accomplished writer who seeks to engage his students seriously with his art. He usually begins his Fiction Writing class with a modern look at the question, “What is art?” If you’re committed to the classical tradition, don’t let this turn you off. He’s very open-minded, and his class can help you learn how to engage seriously with words, a skill of utmost importance for any student. You can write whatever kind of story you would like to write, but he will help you to get the most out of each sentence.

Finance:

Carl Ackermann. He is simply the man. From his hilarious antics in class to his ability to learn the name of all 600 of his students, Ackerman is the guy to take for Intro to Finance. You won’t regret it. Even if you don’t do well it’s worth taking his class. If that’s not enough, he was one of Business Week’s favorite professor awardees.

History:

Notre Dame students should all take a class with history professor Gail Bederman, who specializes in sex and sexuality. She is very open-minded and appreciates having students challenge her views. Her classes explore the background and framework within which developments such as the contraception mentality and abortion came about. It is important for Notre Dame students to learn to form, articulate and defend their views on these crucial issues, and Bederman’s classes are the perfect opportunity to do this.

Mark Noll provides fascinating insights into American history.  He specializes in American and Canadian history with a particular emphasis on religious and intellectual history.  He never fails to present topics in a new light, even topics that we’ve all studied many times before in American history.  His assignments are relevant and bring the past to bear on the state of our country today.

Thomas Kselman’s classes provide a semester-long immersion into French society.  He is my favorite teacher at Notre Dame, and I would argue one of the most effective teachers on our campus.  He thoroughly engages his students through his varied assignments, dynamic lecturing and willingness to engage students.  While the format for this class includes two days of lecturing and one day of discussion, Kselman is always willing to accommodate the questions of students during lecture, even when the questions shift the direction of his lecture.

Philosophy:

David Solomon specializes in ethical theory and medical ethics, though often woven into his courses are mini-lectures on the philosophy of education, the relationship between faith and reason and what it means to live a good life (all delivered with wit and eloquence). He is a serious but enjoyable professor who loves his students dearly. He is as kind as he is instructive. If you can’t get into his Medical Ethics class in the fall, make sure you take Morality and Modernity with him in the spring.

Alfred Freddoso may be a Buffalo Bills fan, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying his Ancient and Medieval Philosophy course. Tracing the history of wisdom-lovers from the pre-Socratics to Augustine and Aquinas (a new translation of whose Summa Freddoso is halfway through composing—this guy’s for real), Freddoso illuminates the subject matter with amusing anecdotes and voices, and when he dons his decades-old Bills hat while impersonating good old Zeno, you know things are about to get good. He is also offering a seminar on Aquinas and Angels—a must for any fans of Thomas or angels (or both).

David O’Connor is an engaging philosophy professor who truly believes that his job is to incite his students to engage in the intellectual life. Among the most interesting personalities in the philosophy department, he serves as an excellent professor and mentor to his students. He is known to say things like, “Read Homer like it may change your life.” Take his courses if you want a life-changing experience.

Political Science:

Professor Phillip Muñoz pushes students to think through their political convictions in his large classes that feel more like small seminars. Constitutionalism, Law and Politics, which serves as the gateway class to the new Con Studies minor, explores the nature of constitutional government through readings from Aristotle, Tocqueville and America’s Founding Fathers. Next fall, he is also offering his undergraduate church-state class, Religion, the State, and American Constitutionalism, for the first time in several years. Given ND’s lawsuit against the Obama administration over the HHS mandate, the class couldn’t be more timely.

Mary Keys offers a course on the political themes of JRR Tolkien’s works (The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings trilogy and more) both as a first-year seminar and as an upper-level course. The small class size allows for in-depth discussion and genuine debate about the ethical themes faced by Tolkien’s characters. The course touches on many areas, including political systems, natural law, ethics, divine providence, justice, mercy and prudence in decision-making, and professor Keys guides the discussion with grace and friendliness. Highly recommended!

Michael Zuckert’s Thought and Statesmanship of Abraham Lincoln, offered as a senior seminar, is the perfect fit for students interested in the political and personal career of one of our nation’s most celebrated (and recently dramatized in an award-winning film) presidents. Zuckert was recently awarded the Jack Miller Center Chairman’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Academic Excellence in recognition of his outstanding teaching ability. Great teacher, fascinating subject; what more could you want?

The American Regime—seem like an oxymoron? Patrick Deneen leads this discussion on the nature of America’s foundational constitutional order and the way of life it entails for citizens. Alexis de Tocqueville’s writings figure centrally in this class, which also explores contemporary trends in mobility, education, family arrangements and religion. Don’t miss this opportunity to delve into America’s foundational documents with one of the most respected political scholars of the day.

James (Daniel) Philpott, perpetually popular and well-liked (just check his teacher reviews), is offering his senior seminar on the Politics of Forgiveness for political science juniors and seniors. Philpott also teaches Peace Studies and works with the Kroc Institute, so his insights into the subject are sure to engage and inform. You don’t want to miss this great teacher or class.

Studio Art:

Professor Maria Tomasula of the art studio department teaches with the warmth and experience to transform your artistic eagerness into shining prowess. Maria, as she asks her students to affectionately call her, encourages her students to take on the challenges of craftsmanship that make the composition of their dreams a reality. Though becoming a better painter and drawer takes a great deal of practice and patience, Maria’s class structure provides the positive, conversational environment to become one. Take Painting I for an intro course or Multilevel Figure Drawing to hone your sketching skills. To see her work, check out the stunningly detailed painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the Lady Chapel of the Basilica.

Theatre:

Yael Prizant is one of the most enthusiastic and passionate professors on Notre Dame’s campus. She is a veritable encyclopedia of theatre facts, and inspires a love for the subject in her students. Take anything with her you can find.

Theology:

You will not find a more enjoyable and informative theology course next fall than Monsignor Michael Heintz’s Christian Traditions I. With his great sense of humor and deep knowledge of the faith, Mons. Heintz creates an amiable and relaxed atmosphere in which students feel comfortable exploring not only the course texts (which are fascinating) but broader questions of the early and modern Church as well. The course workload is relatively light, and you will never be stressed about your grade. It is a required course for all theology majors, and you’ll see why: By the semester’s end you’ll be thinking, “Everyone should take this class!”

If you’re looking for a first theology, consider taking Father Terrence Erhman, CSC, and Profs. John Betz, Gabriel Reynolds, and Catherine Cavadini. Fr. Erhman recently received his doctorate from the Catholic University of America. Betz has been hosting theology lunch discussions in North Dining Hall this past semester and is accesible and knowledgeable. Reynolds is the most social-media-adept theology professor in the department, and specializes in the history of Christianity and world religions, and the global Church.  He allows for a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith through the examination of Muslim faith and the study of such a subject allows for a richer dialogue between the faith traditions.  Cavadini knows how to keep a course intriguing (must run in the family). Theology university seminar must-takes include the most gracious Sister Ann Astell and darling Robin Darling Young.

Don’t make the mistake of choosing a random second theology professor: Think ahead and take these eminent theologians. Father Brian Daley, SJ, recently won the Ratzinger Prize in theology and will be teaching a course called On Conversion. Francesca Murphy,  a professor in systematics with an expertise in twentieth century theologians and aesthetic theology (think Hans Urs von Balthasar, a favorite of His Holiness Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI), is probably the best-kept secret in the department. Gerald McKenny, Father Paulinus Odozor, CSSp and Monsignor John Meier at both the 200-level and 400-level are also highly recommended.

The Catholic Faith is a theology course taught by John Cavadini that fulfills that second university requirement for theology. It utilizes both the Catechism and splendid primary sources, ranging from Joseph Ratzinger to St. Francis of Assisi, to plumb the depths of the most fundamental teachings of the Catholic Church, specifically exploring the central theme of God’s love manifested throughout history and especially in the life, passion and death of Jesus.

David Fagerberg will once again be offering his highly popular CS Lewis on Sin, Sanctification and Saints class, a must-take as a second theology. Lewis is one of the most compelling theological writers of the twentieth century, and Fagerberg brings his work to life with his multimedia approach to lecturing. There

is not a class with more enjoyable yet profound reading. The exams are straightforward if you pay attention and take notes. The paper is also pretty painless, and it’s great to attend a lecture by a guy whose voice sounds like Aslan. Enough said.Take it.

Fagerberg is also teaching a course on the Theology of the Mass (THEO 40404). A dynamic liturgical  scholar, Fagerberg engages students with a variety of texts. What better way to learn about the highest form of Catholic prayer then to unpack the theology of the Mass with a man who knows it as well as anyone?

All professors previously mentioned, in addition to Stephen Gersch and Cyril O’Regan (whose Irish accent is not to be missed) are professors with whom all theology majors or anyone interested in theology should take a class. If you don’t, you will regret it.