Covers a bit of info-hist., pol., cult. and it's larger "themes." He means to challenge his students, so his course is a bit dense. Lots of good reads, media & film usage to clarify themes. His papers aren't difficult-dig in, clearly he's an Oprah fan :-). Also-confronting a **** history doesn't make you a ****, just mindful of the past.

Seems like a lot of sour grapes here. I thought the class was great. Our class had great discussions, and everyone seemed to like Prof. Chon-Smith. He uses multimedia and lectures in an intersting way. Great Prof!

Interesting class and not hard if you do the work. Since his class deals with controversial topics like race and class, I think many of the "haters" here just refuse to analyze society and culture beyond their little preconceived stereotypes. Seems like there's a troll trying to trash him. Oh well, trolls troll, and thinkers think.

I actually enjoyed this class. Lots of films and youtube videos. Chon-Smith is approachable and knowlegeable. His exams were based on lectures and readings. If you've got that down, then the the class is easy. About his focus on history...This is not a class where you study sonnets in AP English. Serious topics for serious students.

Prof. Chon-Smith is a very knowledgeable and committed teacher. His lectures use lots of multimedia and he wants lots of discussion from the students (25%). His writing assignments are easy if you read, and his exam is very open (essays). The subject matter is controversial, race, class, gender, and sexuality so i think many ppl are closed-minde

Chon Smith is very sensitive to the Asian American plight, and it shows. Not a difficult class if you do the readings, responses, and show interest and enthusiasm. One 5 page paper that seemed a bit packed due to the amount of secondary sources on top of the 2-3 primary sources required. Essay final. Highly knowledgeable if a bit pedantic.

Loved the films and videos! He expects students to read, so don't take this class if you're not into reading novels. Essay is pretty open, and paper is pretty doable. I liked his teaching and would recommend his class.

One of my favorite professors so far. His approach is not spoon feeding students. Thoughtful, fair, and eloquent!

Great Class! I liked the discussions. Essays were open and pretty easy to do. Fair grader, if you try. Writing assignements were short and "general impressions." He's a great prof.

Thought the class was great. It's a challenging class, but I learn a lot. Very nice and caring prof.

These people must be from another planet. This prof is the best. He's smart, caring, and an easy grader. Just show up for class, prepared, and ready to contribute.

I completely disagree with the previous post. The texts were very reflective of the themes in the course. Although we discussed many theoretical ideas, the professor made the material relevant and asked thought-provoking questions. I got back all of the work that I submitted in a timely fashion. When I emailed him, he responded the very next day!

I think Prof. Chon-Smith is one of the best professors I've had at Hunter. He challenged the students to learn and to care about social transformation. But when someone speaks about power and culture, people get nervous. Perhaps, that's part of the learning process.

Changed my world view. Amazing prof.

Prof. Chon-Smith makes class worth going to. I likes the exams (not to hard), study and you'll do ok. He usually lectures and then has class discussion. And, he's very handsome.

Stimulating, smart, and compassionate. This class and professor are great. Sometimes there's massive readings but hey, it's college right? Midterm and final paper, easy if you show up and read.

He's very articulate and it shows when he lectures. A bit garrulous but he asked for feedback during midsemester and improvements showed. Take good notes in class, everything he says helps. He's a genius and so passionate that sometimes trying to comprehend may confuse students. Make attendance and participate. I wish we read south asian lit. =/

Class was easy if you do the readings. Professor likes discussion so there's few lectures. Some power points and group work. Overall class opened my eyes to literature and society and the power of literature to reshape our culture. A+ for Prof. Chon-Smith, great semester!

I really liked his class and I'm confused about his clarity and focus. What I witnessed was people afraid to lead the examined life. Simply, you cannot understand ideas that challenge your investments, desires, and complicity with violent forms of power unless...you let go...Prof. Chon-Smith is articulate, generous, and committed. Take the class

He's not clear on what he wants for his papers so it's confusing.He talks a bit too much which doesn't encourage student interaction so it can be boring at times which makes the class awkward.He's extremely respectful.Grades are only based on papers;no exams.He does show movies and videos.The class was pretty quiet.Talk to him after class.

He's a compassionate and helpful prof. I enjoyed the novels and films. Not too bad with grading. I'd take another class!

One Hunter's best profs, brilliant and eloquent.

He's a nice professor who likes discussion. I agree with the comment below about his grading---easy if you do the readings. Also, he connects the school work with the real world, very unusual for profs.

I enjoyed the class and prof. Would recommend and take another class! Not too bad if you do the readings and participate. He's very eloquent and knowledgeable.

I got a very good grade and I thought the class was great, relevant, and important. Some trolls here...

I find this course to be fun, He 's a fair grader, and encourages discussion. But I agree with one of the comments where I think he may have an issue with articulating his theories. Extremely intelligent, and passionate guy. If you enjoy lit, you'll enjoy this course.

I enjoyed the class, readings, and Prof. Chon-Smith. I can truly say that this class changed my world view and showed me how incomplete my prior classes were. I learned that knowledge is not a commodity and social transformation is a worthy and powerful gift.

He's the best graduate professor I've had to date. Connects theory, literature, and social change and allows for a open, Socratic dialogue. His pedagogy has been a model for my own. Thanks to Prof. Chon-Smith!!

I loved the course, professor, and books. I needed knowledge to explain my identity, experiences, and feelings. As an Asian in America, this course was a gift! Highly recommended, but not for the weak of mind.

He's the only professor I've had in English courses who's connected the real world and academic theories. Such a rarity. I found him articulate, passionate, and compassionate. Would take another class, and another, and another---you get the point.

The texts were terrific, the class discussion was vibrant, and the Professor was masterful. As a NYC teacher, I need theory and knowledge to understand and shape my students. This class, like no other, gave me some important tools. Studies of race and ethnicity are tricky, especially in NY, but he's a brilliant thinker about our world.

Amazing professor! He will challenge you with a smile. He will ask tough questions. And he tells stories that are funny but poignant. Thoroughly enjoyed the class and ideas. Would recommend many times.

I had the exact OPPOSITE experience. Prof. Chon-Smith is what I expected to have as a professor but so rarely had. Superb mentor and our class even gave him a card to show our appreciation.

One of the best professors at Hunter,(and being an Asian American myself)really raised my interest and awareness with the Asian American community and challenged me intellectually a lot. Yes there is a lot of reading but its manageable.

By far one of my most fav Eng professors. Understanding and the amount of work he gives is VERY REASONABLE. If you're absent and have a legit excuse there's nothing to worry about. EXTREMELY intelligent but somewhat not as easy of a grader just because his class is SOO chilled. Loved him and am taking another Eng class with him.

Extremely knowledgeable and inspirational. Prof. Chon-Smith made my Hunter experience memorable. Highly recommended. As for the comment about Foucault, come on! Prof. Chon-Smith discussed so many thinkers in literary theory.

I thought this class was fabulous. It was a welcomed break from school BS, and I appreciated his objective to make us think. Do the readings, participate, and you'll do fine. I'm planning to take another!

This is my second time taking his class and I do not regret it at all. The ideas and concepts are definitely challenging, but this is a higher level English course. Regardless, he makes the ideas easier to understand and grasp. Just do the readings, show up to class, and you will do great. Although not an easy class itself, wonderful professor!

Prof. Smith jolted me out of complacency with my first essay grade. I worked really hard the rest of the semester. He was intensely helpful when I sought his help. I didn't really care at all for the subject matter at first, but his excellent teaching an d emphasis on theory made me love it.

I was coasting through my courses at Hunter, and wow, did Professor Chon-Smith ever wake me up. Thoughtful, impassioned and provocative discussions about a diverse assortment of books and subjects. He's a pugilistic thinker, so be prepared to defend your opinions, but if you're up for it this is an exciting and rewarding class. Highly recommended.

Professor Chon-Smith's class was an eye-opener. By far my most interesting class this semester, I always looked forward to it. He mixes a lot of concepts in his lectures which makes it so fun to listen to and think about afterward. Wasn't much of a book reader before this class but most of the books read in class were great. Definitely recommended.

Nothing but the utmost respect for this man. When he's on, it's like a symphony of knowledge and love.

An inspiring professor.

I had a great course this semester. We were taught to think critically and philosophically about literature and the human experience. What a relief that it wasn't a job to think!

I had an opportunity to take his graduate class on race and ethnicity in literature. It was innovative and eye-opening, the way he wove so many points of knowledge into an articulate narrative. He brings a fresh perspective that I did not expect. A real gem for me to see.

Best Prof during this COVID pandemic. He had a heart. Thank you Prof., we will not forget.

Thank you Professor. You were one of the few professors who understood education during a global pandemic. Your Zoom classes were a santuary from the craziness and death. Ditto, we will not forget!

Professor Chon-Smith were the few professors that understood we are in a pandemic. Lectures, he usually talks 99% of the time, sometimes he encourages students to participate, but never forces. He explains the readings very well in a simplified way. Attend office hours for participation. Allows revisions and few papers graded

One of the best professors I've had at Hunter. Knowledgeable at his topic, captures your attention with his expressionism, and openly allows students to think and contribute to the discussion. Taken Fall 2021.

He is a great professor, very passionate about what he teaches. Has a down to earth way he lectures that makes something boring seem interesting. Assignments were pretty easy, just basic discussion posts and critical response papers but he talks alot s you if you take notes you will have enough to write about lol.

Loved Professor Smith. Very easy class, just some discussion posts and 2 essays. Some of his concepts were kinda confusing, but other than that, no complaints. Class was great, and it was always an open discussion. You can tell he is very passionate about his job. Great class, would recommend!

Prof Chon Smith is amazing! I think that he takes some getting used to because he definitely pushes students to think beyond and close read texts in a way that most students are not used to. However, I think that you will benefit greatly from taking at least one class with this professor. He is knowledgeable and passionate and cares!

Theme song for this class- Casualties of War by Eric B. & Rakim

I liked his classroom demeanor and open dialogues. Brilliant and inspiring thinker and teacher. Reading heavy with essay exam and final!

Loved the class and enjoyed the lectures. A treat to witness when he's flowing.

Top tier prof. Only one who spoke about the g-side going on.

Amazing professor. Midterm and final paper, 5-7 books.

Passionate & philosophical chill guy. Lectures come off intimidating, esp for non-lit majors: confusing words/theories/ideas, but all doable. READING HEAVY, can't get away with searching summaries/AI for the quizzes, but the books are interesting. Attendance optional, but NOTHING is uploaded online at all, you will miss important announcements.

3 quizzes (two questions and a paragraph each), a midterm (2 essays), and a final (take home essay). I absolutely loved this professor and although he rarely gave feedback for his grading, it was easy enough to get high scores. Just make sure to actually do the reading and SHOW UP or else u'll miss important info! Doesn't post announcements at all.