Frank Swenton

This class was an interesting, crash course-esque survey on anthropology, technology, and philosophy all together, though I do wish at times that we could diversify and deepen our discussions on modern existential questions by reading from more authors than one, and having more guided, pointed discussions. (Granted, this is a seminar, so we are not really meant to reach a consensus on something more than to get to thinking about it in a more liberal-artsy fashion.) The course was definitely helpful in the sense of also being "Research 101", through papers in which we explored our own myths, topics, and constructs etc. of interest. Our weekly screenings were also always chill ways to end the night, which surprisingly came in to inform some of my writing for this class, among other classes! As we moved along the semester, Professor Swenton took the effort to honor his students' thoughts and opinions about the class, and about settling into college in general. I will never forget the day he went out of his way to get us all vitamin D supplements during our first Middlebury winter.

This class was an interesting, crash course-esque survey on anthropology, technology, and philosophy all together, though I do wish at times that we could diversify and deepen our discussions on modern existential questions by reading from more authors than one, and having more guided, pointed discussions. (Granted, this is a seminar …Read more

The class was pretty good and pretty fast paced. A lot of discussion but the information you learned was super interesting. Overall it was decent but a lot of work for a first year seminar! If you are into reading then good

This class is difficult but relaxed. Swenton doesn't collect homework or problem sets or mark attendance, although without the lectures you'll struggle more than it's worth. The content is abstract, so you don't really need 'practice' so much as you need a deep understanding of the material to do well. I found that paying attention thoroughly and being engaged in class was enough to do well, even without doing any of the problem sets.

This class is difficult but relaxed. Swenton doesn't collect homework or problem sets or mark attendance, although without the lectures you'll struggle more than it's worth. The content is abstract, so you don't really need 'practice' so much as you need a deep understanding of the material to do well. I found that paying attention t …Read more