EVALUATIONS
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
Course: "Women, Race, Class, and Sexuality in Harlem Renaissance Fiction"
"Hello Dr. Walker,
If you recall Spring quarter 2010 I was in your Harlem Renaissance course (English 35G). I am currently a junior and have decided to write my senior capstone this Fall in D.C. through the Washington Semester Program at American University. I found your course very informative and thought provoking. I appreciate that you assigned readings addressing taboo topics (homosexuality, prostitution, interracial relationships to name a few). "The Closing Door" and
"Color Struck" were particularly influential - prior to reading them I never read any literature on maternal infanticide/filicide. I have decided to write my thesis on maternal filicide in the legal system; without your course I don't think it would have occurred to me to write on this topic.
I wanted to personally thank you for selecting the topics and literature that you did. I could truly say that the course was refreshing; most other professors do not address these topics nearly as thoroughly as you have. From what I recall last quarter you were always very involved within the English Dept. and Drahmann, so I will not take up any more of your time. I look forward to taking some more
courses of yours (if time permits) in the future. Once again thank you. I hope the remainder of your quarter goes well!"
SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
Course: "ENGL 2: Autobiography as Activism"
Quarter: Fall 2009
"The class focused on activism and social issues in today's society, so we were able to read an argumentative essay and respond with our own opinions. This is my favorite type of writing because it is the most personal."
"This course challenged me to think critically and state my opinion regarding a number of civil rights issues. There were a number of issues such as the death penalty, which I had no concrete opinion on, but the readings and class discussions helped to educate me more on the matter and helped to form my opinion and argument."
"Reading short essays, watching documentaries, and critically analyzing them was helpful. Particularly helpful were the documentaries and essays on current topics."
"I thought reading our responses aloud and discussing in class what the homework was about helped me with my writing the most. The editing process is made easier when you read your work aloud and in front of people." "It helped me through practice. Reading arguments and formulating responses to them improved my writing."
"I learned how to lengthen my responses and how to formulate a better argument. Some other important things I learned were constructing arguments and critical reading."
"I learned that my writing has improved and that I am able to express my feelings through writing clearly. I learned how to dissect and analyze my readings which, in turn, helped me overall in my writing."
"I was able to write more critically because the issues we talked about dealt with controversial issues."
"I learned that my writing can be pretty good, especially when given prompts that make us think and analyze."
"I learned how to write arguments in a clear structure and develop a full view of the issue. New way of writing for me that I think will be beneficial in the future."
"The course helped me develop stances on hotly debated topics such as gay marriage and torture."
HOLY NAMES UNIVERSITY
Course: "Harlem Renaissance Short Fiction"
Semester: Fall 2009
"Dear Dr. Walker, I am writing to thank you. I received my final grade from your class and was surprised yet mostly grateful. Although I began to fall behind, you seemed to see my greater potential. By the way, I was always very appreciative of your support, encouragement, and guidance. Perhaps in the future, I could assist you with your future classes if you do decide to return to Holy Names University."
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Course: "Harlem Renaissance Movement to the Present"
"Contemporary Black Autobiography"
Semester: Fall 2008
"Dr. Jamie Walker is, by far, one of the most influential professors I have had the pleasure of knowing. To me, learning is more than professing curriculum. It's also about personality and genius of spirit. I've learned so much in the courses I've had under her tutelage. Her courses, Black Autobiography and thus far, Harlem Renaissance, have brought me back in touch with myself; that challenging, energetic, and intellectual me with whom I had put on the backburner. I guess what I'm trying to say in a "roundabout way" is that Dr. Walker is an inspiration that is a bridge between my spirit and intellect. I have learned more about my literary ancestors in her classes--so much so that I'm declaring Afro Studies as my minor.
"Although I learned a lot about authors during the Harlem Renaissance that I previously did not know about, the thing that I took away the most from the course was handling the work load; because of the readings and summaries that were due for nearly every class, I learned to read more efficiently and effectively."
"I really enjoy our readings, material, and the diversity of writers with which we read."
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Course: "Harlem Renaissance Movement to the Present"
Semester: Spring 2008
"I liked the Harlem Renaissance course. I learned a lot of information. I feel this is one of those classes where I became more of who I am and benefited in an intellectual aspect. This class just reinforces why I am an African American Studies minor. It is important to know more than what is taught in high school. It also forces me to learn more as well. I'm not a huge reader, but the way Dr. Walker introduced the class, I made it a point to read. Personally, I want to know more and I know there is a lot more to learn and this class made me do that. So, my time [management] skills were definitely strengthened."
TRINITY UNIVERSITY
Courses: English 107: "Intro to College Writing II"
Semester: Spring 2008
"I thought that the course was very conducive to my learning. The books that we read such as The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison are very memorable to me. In addition, I enjoyed the album review of our favorite artist. I appreciate the course for allowing me to express my thoughts in more creative ways and enhancing my writing abilities."
TRINITY UNIVERSITY
Courses: English 105: "Intro to College Writing I"
CRS 101: "Critical Reading"
Semester: Fall 2008
"I love English 105. Dr. Walker explains everything completely and I understand every assignment she gives. I just want to become a better writer and I am working towards that goal."
"I am learning how to become a better writer. I have also learned how to appreciate my life for what I have and who I am after reading novels on struggling African Americans."
BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY
Course: "The Harlem Renaissance"
Semester: Spring 2006
"I enjoyed the course greatly. I enjoyed learning about the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Billie Holiday, and Richard Wright, just to name a few. I remember reading various poems by black poets and I had to interpret what the author of that particular work was thinking or feeling. The essential point of the assignment was, "What was the message the author was trying to convey?" This is what I remember the class doing as a whole and then everyone would share their thoughts, feelings, or concerns about the subject."
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
Course: Freshman Composition II
Semester: Spring 2006
"I was soo excited to hear that I got a 6 on my exam. I didn't know that it was that good. Going into this semester I wrote down that I wanted to get an 'A' on my essay and my mission was accomplished. English was definitely my favorite class. Your class has made me a stronger writer and I believe a stronger person. I just wanted to thank you for being you (if that makes any sense) lol. I wish you the best in your career and I'm sure we will be seeing you on Oprah someday. lol. Have a great summer and I will see you around."