question

[ydouwant2no]

who should I work with on my thesis....

Prof. Olson, Prof. Gaither, Prof. Finucane, or Prof. Purdy.?

Please write and let me know. Your votes will choose my Thesis Advisor.......

Comments

A long comment from somebody who knows very little ;)

[heavenbound29]

First, you might email Meggie Conley and ask her -- she had to make the same decision at the beginning of this semester and would probably have a more informed opinion than I can give. And, though I don't know much, here's what I seem to recall (as I then proceed to write a rather lengthy comment...):

Olson
He's knowledgeable but frustrating to work with. He's not big on deadlines, so you have to be hard on yourself to get things done on time. Otherwise, it's the last week of the semester and you have 50 pages to write because he hasn't made you turn any in earlier. I've never had a course with him (and doubt I actually know who he is -- there are 2 guys I think are Olson, but I'm not sure which it is) but have heard the above from at least 3 students, 2 of which previously had him as an advisor. I've also heard he's hard to find when you need him to do things like sign stuff.

Gaither
I have her this semester for Early Christianity. My impression? If you propose an idea and support it properly she will be open to what you have to say. However, if you don't say anything, she only really presents a semi-conservative Christian viewpoint. I don't think I'm articulating this as well as I mean to. She's vastly knowledgeable (at least as far as Christianity and Christian philosophy goes -- this is all I know since this is all the course focuses on) and has a wealth of resources (books etc) available (or at least seems to). However, she's new to Wells and finds things like afternoon tea a most magnificent novelty. She had a very strong professorial aire at the beginning of the semester, although she is starting to loosen up a bit and be more like a Wells professor. This results in ocassional bits of awkwardness, but it is clear she is trying to be the kind of professor the students need/want.

Finucane
I have no clue on earth who this is. Sorry!

Purdy
If your political/ethical/personal views differ from hers you're shit out of luck. Again, I've never had a class with her, but have heard this comment from so many people that it is the reason why I avoided taking Ethics when I was actually interested in the course. I've also heard this from a couple of people whose view points on several issues even corresponded to Purdy's, saying they wouldn't know what to do if they'd had a view point separate from hers. A student who is a pretty good student and who had views opposing Purdy's told me she struggled a lot in the course.

I hope this helps at least a little bit. I'm sorry I can't be much more than a source of negative heresay for Olson or Purdy. I'm sure they have positive aspects, but nobody ever complains of good things. ;) On the other side, the only negative comments I've heard from others about Gaither is that she can be boring in class (she mostly lectures, which for a sem can drag, I'll agree) and that she focuses/sides with Christianity too much as opposed to other religions (kind of opposite what Hoffman was, I guess -- I hear he brought up kind of an "outsider's" view of Christianity where Gaither has an "insider's" view of Christianity -- again, bear in mind this is for the course I'm taking).

Anyway...good luck! ^^

Thanx

[ydouwant2no]

anna you are the greatest this has really helped alot...
kisses
jen