Are you still searching for a class to fulfill your Western Cultural Heritage credits? Look no further than British Literature and Culture I. 

Taught by Professor Notarangelo, this class exceeds all expectations you may have upon reading the description. Professor Notarangelo’s vast knowledge of the subject matter and genuine excitement about sharing it with the class transforms reading poems into an immersive experience and class discussion into a lively and exciting activity.

A professor can make or break a class, and Professor Notarangelo definitely makes it.

“She is, by far, one of the most well-spoken and engaging professors I have,” said Charlie Bishop, a first-year Secondary English Education major. “She highlights student creativity through class-based guided discussions which I’ve found incredibly engaging. I know that English classes can feel overwhelming at times, however Professor Notarangelo meets students where they are at and highlights their capabilities while building on their foundation. She is an incredibly supportive mentor, and I would recommend this class to everyone!”

Clearly the professor is a highlight of this class, but not the only highlight. Some people, including myself, shudder at the thought of participating in class discussions. However, Professor Notarangelo’s openness to different interpretations of reading materials turns class discussion from anxiety-inducing into something many students are genuinely excited to participate in.

In this class, students examine the development of various literary themes such as heroism, religious devotion, fate and love. The reading covers the Anglo-Saxon period, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The many works that you will read in this class will help develop your skills in close reading and text annotation, which will be useful in many classes as well as in real life as you read beyond the materials assigned in this class.

The themes presented in the many works you will read in this class such as Beowulf, the Wanderer and Revelations of Divine Love can be applied to real life in the present day, as well. This is one of my favorite things about the class because the relatability of the emotions the characters experience and the journeys they venture on allows reading these stories to become an immersive experience in which you can identify with the characters and use their arcs to reflect on the journeys you have taken in your own life.

Old English writing may seem threatening to many people, as it can be linguistically confusing or hard to follow. However, the translations provided for the assigned reading materials make them feel very accessible and familiar to a novice reader.

Professor Notarangelo’s commitment to making students with a wide range of interpretations of various works feel heard and valid combined with very engaging reading materials make this class one that I look forward to attending every week. I would recommend British Literature and Culture I to any student considering adding it to their schedule in the future.