University President Lee Bollinger began the new school year yesterday the same way as many students - by waking up early for an 8:30 a.m. class.
Bollinger, a former Law School dean and professor, will take time out of his hectic presidential schedule this term to teach Political Science 312, titled "Freedom of Speech and the Press."
"It is always a pleasure to be back in the classroom," Bollinger said. "The first day is always difficult because people are not used to the usual routine, but I think it was a good start."
The 75-person class currently has a waitlist of about 60 students, including LSA junior Amy Parekh, who is hoping for an override.
"I still have to wait to get in on the waitlist," Parekh said. "I'm number 32 on the waitlist, and I just have that little ounce of hope in me that I may get in."
The course, which meets for an hour and a half every Monday and Wednesday, is taught in the classic law school manner. Bollinger promised his students that by the end of the term, they will know as much about the First Amendment as a law school student.
Bollinger's first class included a mock scenario leading to a legal case. He randomly called on students to act as legal counsel and offer hypothetical legal strategy for how the case might be conducted.
"He used the Socratic method," said LSA senior Sanjeeb Das. "It was fun."
Das said the mixture of course material and the prestige of the instructor compelled him to CRISP into the early morning course. "I am a senior and I was not going to wake up at 8:30 unless there was good reason," Das said. "This is a good reason."
Das decided to enroll in the course after talking to his thesis adviser, who told Das that studying with Bollinger would be "a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
"How often do you get to rub elbows with the president of the University?" Das said.
John Jackson, chair of the political science department, said he is pleased that Bollinger decided to teach the course.
"I think everyone in the department is very excited," Jackson said. "He is an excellent professor and is an expert in the field. I think this is great for the students."
Some students have already invested significant time in preparing for the course: LSA senior Robert Wollin read one of Bollinger's books during the summer to get a leg up on his classmates.
"I read ... 'Images of a Free Press' over the summer," Wollin said. "I found it very stimulating. I enjoyed reading President Bollinger's ideas of how the different types of press are treated differently under the First Amendment. But I was disappointed, because I was trying to get a head start on the course by reading the book, but then I found out that Bollinger chose to use his other book, 'The Tolerant Society.'"
Bollinger has not yet scheduled regular office hours with students.
LSA senior Angelo Kontos said he was excited to have the chance to meet the president and intends to make office hour plans with Bollinger.
"I'll probably go to (office hours) once just to meet him," Kontos said. "I think it is really good that he is teaching."
JONATHAN SUMMER/Daily
Students listen intently yesterday as University President Lee Bollinger teaches them about the First Amendment. He is teaching Political Science 312, "Freedom of Speech and the Press," this semester. Bollinger also taught undergraduates when he was provost at Dartmouth College.