Understanding Shakespeare: English prof can help you make Shakespeare's language playable. Know what you're saying and the audience will too!

Miranda

I had Musa Gurnis as a professor for two courses when I was in college. She is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about her subject. I found that her excitement made the subject material more accessible for me, as her enthusiasm was contagious. From a hard-skills perspective, she taught me to be a much better writer and editor. I still approach projects with her standards in mind several years later. I would absolutely recommend her as an instructor and can vouch for her legitimacy.

Miranda

I had Musa Gurnis as a professor for two courses when I was in college. She is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about her subject. I found that her excitement made the subject material more accessible for me, as her enthusiasm was contagious. From a hard-skills perspective, she taught me to be a much better writer and editor. I still approach projects with her standards in mind several years later. I would absolutely recommend her as an instructor and can vouch for her legitimacy.

Calann

I am a law student at Washington University School of Law, and I had the sublime privilege to be taught by the distinguished Professor Musa Gurnis. When I was a sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis, I took my first class with Professor Gurnis, and I could not leave the university without taking more. Professor Gurnis never cuts corners; she gives every class everything that she has. She is active, and she is brilliant. I would describe her teaching style as aggressive compassion. She encourages reading texts aloud and physically acting out scenes (and virtual learning will be unlikely to change that). Her students grow because she tells us when we are right and instructs us when we are wrong. She digs deeply into the text from the entendres, to the puns, to the pentameter. It was never enough to just have her students know the material. Musa Gurnis lifts the texts off of the page. She demands excellence, and she demands engagement. She always knows where to meet her students in their learning, and I have personally seen her face light up when we meet her as well. She is a gem to every student she instructs, and she never disappoints.

Calann

I am a law student at Washington University School of Law, and I had the sublime privilege to be taught by the distinguished Professor Musa Gurnis. When I was a sophomore at Washington University in St. Louis, I took my first class with Professor Gurnis, and I could not leave the university without taking more. Professor Gurnis never cuts corners; she gives every class everything that she has. She is active, and she is brilliant. I would describe her teaching style as aggressive compassion. She encourages reading texts aloud and physically acting out scenes (and virtual learning will be unlikely to change that). Her students grow because she tells us when we are right and instructs us when we are wrong. She digs deeply into the text from the entendres, to the puns, to the pentameter. It was never enough to just have her students know the material. Musa Gurnis lifts the texts off of the page. She demands excellence, and she demands engagement. She always knows where to meet her students in their learning, and I have personally seen her face light up when we meet her as well. She is a gem to every student she instructs, and she never disappoints.

Grace

I often say Musa was the best professor I had in college. She changed the way I approached academic writing completely, and was an attentive, passionate professor. I found myself producing work I was very proud of while in Musa's class, and I accredit this to the rigorous, engaging discussion that she always generated. She also consistently conducted an inclusive, accessible classroom environment.

Grace

I often say Musa was the best professor I had in college. She changed the way I approached academic writing completely, and was an attentive, passionate professor. I found myself producing work I was very proud of while in Musa's class, and I accredit this to the rigorous, engaging discussion that she always generated. She also consistently conducted an inclusive, accessible classroom environment.

Musa inspired me to pursue an English major and was an incredible mentor throughout my undergrad career. She taught me so much about early modern history, Shakespeare, and literary theory, but most importantly she taught me how write a really good academic English paper. She gives concrete advice, and she is honest and straightforward in her criticism. She would go through drafts with me, argument by argument, sentence by sentence, finding ways to cut out muddy reasoning, add supporting evidence, and to clarify the structure. She challenged me to read carefully, to think and write clearly, and to revise ruthlessly. With each successive paper, I gained confidence in my own abilities. I now work in editorial at a literary publishing house, and I owe it all to Musa. I can't think of anyone I'd recommend more as an educator in this field.

I took multiple English Literature classes from Musa at Washington University in St. Louis. She was an amazing teacher and advisor. She is very passionate and knowledgeable about literature, and she is deeply committed to helping her students learn and develop. Her classes made me a much better reader and writer. She is energetic and engaged as a teacher, and her coaching and guidance is thoughtful and detailed. Overall, I can't recommend her highly enough.

Musa was my Lit Hum professor and one of the best teachers I have ever had. She is not only very knowledgable but also brings an infectious enthusiasm and energy to every class. I remember wishing that she had been my professor for every class I had to take.

Daniel

Musa was the first professor to really teach me how to write. She is deeply invested in her students and the material she teaches, and because of her my critical thinking and argumentation improved dramatically.

Daniel

Musa was the first professor to really teach me how to write. She is deeply invested in her students and the material she teaches, and because of her my critical thinking and argumentation improved dramatically.

More than any other teacher, Musa helped me learn how to really engage with texts and evidence. During meetings with her about every essay, she pushed me to go deeper and be more thoughtful. She held me to higher standards than any other professor, driving me to really reflect and improve on my writing skills at every possible opportunity. Under her instruction, I became better at choosing evidence, analyzing it carefully, and organizing that into a coherent essay. By emphasizing concise and loaded argumentation, Musa helped my work become denser and more meaningful. Her deeply empathetic and respectful treatment of all of her students provided the perfect environment to grow.

I was a student in several literature courses Musa taught at Washington University in St. Louis. She was my favorite professor at the university and pushed me to develop my discussion and writing abilities. Musa is extremely passionate about her work - her classes are always exciting and well-planned. I would recommend her to any student looking to improve their writing and critical thinking abilities.

Adrianne

Having worked closely with Musa on a theatrical project, her knowledge and experience on the dramaturgical subjects was outstanding. Not only is she knowledgeable, but she is also friendly and a joy to work with! I would definitely recommend her for any help you need!

Adrianne

Having worked closely with Musa on a theatrical project, her knowledge and experience on the dramaturgical subjects was outstanding. Not only is she knowledgeable, but she is also friendly and a joy to work with! I would definitely recommend her for any help you need!

Musa was one of the best professors I have ever had, and I mean that sincerely. She constantly challenged her students to both think and write at the highest level. There are few people who can lead a thought-provoking class like Musa. I would not hesitate to take any class she taught. She will make you a better reader, writer, and thinker.

Jacob

Musa is an incredible teacher! She knows literature and theory extraordinarily well, and is able to explain everything and engage students in an unparalleled way! I loved having Musa as an instructor, and she is one of the best and most impactful teachers I've had.

Jacob

Musa is an incredible teacher! She knows literature and theory extraordinarily well, and is able to explain everything and engage students in an unparalleled way! I loved having Musa as an instructor, and she is one of the best and most impactful teachers I've had.

Joe

I’ve taken workshops with Musa and found her to be incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and collaborative- her ability to provide focused, personal, and specific feedback make the learning process both informative and enjoyable at the same time!

Joe

I’ve taken workshops with Musa and found her to be incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and collaborative- her ability to provide focused, personal, and specific feedback make the learning process both informative and enjoyable at the same time!

I was Musa's Shakespeare student and give her my highest recommendation without reservation. Musa makes learning an enjoyable challenge that meets the learner at his or her current level and helps foster growth in a trusting environment. Her writing instruction remains the most helpful I've ever received.

Reuven

Musa was my adviser and English professor in undergrad at Wash U. She nursed my love my love for Shakespeare and improved my writing and analytical skills. She's a wonderful teacher who really understands her students and wants to see them succeed.

Reuven

Musa was my adviser and English professor in undergrad at Wash U. She nursed my love my love for Shakespeare and improved my writing and analytical skills. She's a wonderful teacher who really understands her students and wants to see them succeed.

I took a year-long literature class with Musa my freshman year of college that I have never forgotten. Musa is one of the most passionate and committed professors that I have encountered in nearly ten years of higher education; she singlehandedly changed the way I think about the stakes of writing and scholarship. Not only is Musa deeply knowledgable in her field, but she is also highly adept at breaking down the fundamentals of literary analysis and academic writing for students who are new to college-level academic work. I still use some of the terms and explanations that she employed in her class years ago when teaching my own students today.

I took multiple courses with Musa as an undergraduate student, and every class had a lasting impact on me as a learner and as a person. She has an exceptional ability to communicate complex content in a way that is not just understandable but applicable to my life. I often reread and recommend items from the syllabi she assigned. Her teaching style helped me learn to ask new questions and digest information on a deeper level, and the skills I gained as her student inform my work as well as my personal values to this day. If you are looking for learning that will engage you in new ways and last beyond just one course, I highly recommend working with Musa!

Musa was my English professor during my first year at Columbia. She was a superb educator and classroom leader-- and pushed all of her students to engage deeply with the texts that we read. One on one, Musa was a rigorous and thoughtful editor, and consistently helped to make my analysis more precise and powerful. She encouraged students to pursue their interests and gave myriad suggestions to foster their intellectual development. I graduated many years ago and am midway through a PhD program, but often find myself thinking about her advice about writing clearly and well. Working with Musa transformed my orientation towards scholarship and written language: more than simply teaching me how to improve my writing, she helped me to understand that I had claims worth making and empowered me to have the tools to make those claims well.

Julie

I had Musa as a professor in college, and she was the best instructor I had. She pushed me to become a better writer and thinker. I cannot recommend Musa highly enough as a teacher of writing, thinking, and reading. She is incredibly smart and passionate about the material, and works hard to make content accessible and engaging for students. She cares not only about accuracy and content, but about the wellbeing of every student. I can think of no better instructor for anyone hoping to improve their critical thinking and writing.

Julie

I had Musa as a professor in college, and she was the best instructor I had. She pushed me to become a better writer and thinker. I cannot recommend Musa highly enough as a teacher of writing, thinking, and reading. She is incredibly smart and passionate about the material, and works hard to make content accessible and engaging for students. She cares not only about accuracy and content, but about the wellbeing of every student. I can think of no better instructor for anyone hoping to improve their critical thinking and writing.

Lauren

Musa is a top-notch scholar and a gifted teacher. Her warm, accessible, creative energy and lively intellect will make learning stimulating and fun.

Lauren

Musa is a top-notch scholar and a gifted teacher. Her warm, accessible, creative energy and lively intellect will make learning stimulating and fun.

Musa was my professor for three years during undergrad and is responsible for much of my academic and intellectual growth. My academic writing improved exponentially from her classes--I never before and never since have had an instructor so invested in developing my thoughts and improving my writing. She is incredibly patient and thorough, and I would fully recommend her for any guidance or teaching you may need.