ENWR 1510

I cannot recommend Professor Kostelnik enough for an ENWR class. I just barely missed the SAT cut-off for taking the first writing requirement, so I was disappointed that I had to take an ENWR in the first place, but I am so glad I ended up in this particular course. To begin, the course discusses fiction vs. nonfiction throughout the semester, ending in a final writing project that students get to design that answers and allows students to share their thoughts on which genre they prefer. There are three writing projects, each of about 5-7 pages (or more, depending on whether or not you want to put in the extra effort). The first is about a personal experience in learning that shaped your academic career, the second looks at two pieces tackling racism, literacy, crime, etc., and the final allows each student to synthesize learning in the course and relate it to other interests. Kate is incredibly relatable, funny, relaxed, and extremely flexible. She lovingly picks on students in class and maintains great relationships with all of her writers, knowing each student's interests, career aspirations, and favorite writing style. She knows how best to help each student and is very flexible, often holding optional writing conferences for students to meet with her to discuss ideas for the next writing project. We also read several great books focused around the Dominican Republic and Haiti. She never told us exactly why we read these books relating particularly to their geographical area, but they were really interesting and so much fun to read. We also read short stories, articles, and poems by famous authors for class each day, but this reading was not heavy and was easy to complete. Kate is also a fair grader and works really hard to give students the grades they deserve. If you work hard and take pride in your work, you'll do well. Some ENWR professors are grad students, but Kate has her masters and PhD in writing, so she's very knowledgeable and an incredible writer herself. Once again, I cannot recommend Kate enough and would definitely take this class over again if I could. I'll be taking another writing class with her in the future and I'm really looking forward to it. Overall, great ENWR and great professor.