Conversations with Professors

Unlike many other colleges, Harvard’s policy allows for any FAS class to be co-taught, a policy which has given rise to a variety of teaching teams as well as a number of opportunities for thoughtful debate both in and outside the classroom. Here are a couple of Harvard’s dynamic instructor duos and a look at the workings of their academic partnerships.

Professors Rowan K. Flad and Jason A. Ur

Course: Anthropology 1010: Fundamentals of Archaeological Methods and Reasoning

For the last decade, Professors Flad and Ur have introduced students to the field of archeology through what Flad calls this "bread and butter course." For the teaching duo, a strategy of divide and conquer is critical: Anthro 1010 delves into the dovetailing fields of archaeological method and major events in human history from evolution to urbanization, which according to Flad, "some of which I have expertise in, some of which professor Ur does, some of which neither of us do." The difference in background can be especially helpful when it comes to case studies: While Ur is a specialist in the Middle East, Flad is an expert on China, allowing for a more "vivid and interesting" geographical spread, according to Ur. "We can do a much better job presenting material that we really control," he says. "We can be much more entertaining when we’re talking about things that we really know."

When it comes to disagreements, Flad and Ur tend to find common ground, though their contrasting approaches to "basic methods that archaeologists use to find stuff" makes for an interesting start to the class. "We take jabs at each other in subsequent lectures about which is the most effective way of doing that," says Flad. Often though, the professors simply present a variety of material and then step back, letting debate unfold organically. "The students do a very good job of fighting things out amongst themselves," says Ur, and forming viewpoints on the sometimes conflicting material. And the method seems to work: After 10 years, says Ur, "we’re still doing it, so it must be a positive experience. I wouldn’t say that about everybody."

Professors Jessica E. Stern and Ronald Schouten

Course:  Freshman Seminar 46k The Terrorist

Professors Stern and Schouten are currently in their second year teaching a freshman seminar on terrorism, this year with a renewed focus on current events and the tangible outcomes of theories of human behavior. The first iteration of the class centered its attention on theoretical explanations for patterns of terrorism. Stern says this change is in response to the desire last year’s students expressed for a more practically grounded course. "I thought it was a good point," she says.

"[This year] the students will hopefully walk away knowing about the terrorist groups functioning in the world," Stern says. "And also have an understanding that there’s nothing new, that this has been going on a long time, and not just since they were six years old and 9/11 happened."

Schouten mentioned "civilized arguments" as a key aspect of the class, with both professors lecturing and debating during most sessions. Aside from occasional disagreements about the workload, Stern and Schouten say that their principal point of debate is their varied approach to the material. Schouten is from a more medical perspective, while Stern takes a more "psychoacademic" approach, according to Schouten, a difference which has led them to some clashing opinions on human behavior. Still, it all depends on who you ask—"I think it’s great if we can argue," Stern says to her co-professor. "When I said that before, you disagreed and said we don’t ever disagree."