Visit my contact page for information. 

 

 

It’s a program open to students of every major. By taking 6 (yes, only 6) courses in creative writing, publishing, professional writing, and/or journalism, students have their writing skill and knowledge recognized on their transcripts. Students should read about the Certificate in Writing and Publishing and then contact Dr. Kotzin to register.

 

It depends on who you are.

I prefer students to call me Professor Stein. Colleagues and friends call me Scott (I hope we’ll be friendly, but let’s not delude ourselves—friends don’t take attendance or give you grades). People trying to sell me insurance call me Mr. Stein (and students calling professors Mister sounds like we’re in high school—this isn’t high school). I’m not a doctor (my terminal degree is an M.F.A., the highest degree in performing the art—writing, in this case—not a Ph.D., which is the highest degree in scholarship of the art—literature in this case), so calling me Dr. Stein is inaccurate. Professor Stein is the most appropriate title for our relationship in a university context (Prof. Stein when writing is fine).

I studied with the writer Lester Goran as an undergraduate and graduate student, and to this day I call him Professor Goran, even though I consider him a friend. Calling him Lester, even now, just feels wrong. He was the professor and I was the student, and no matter how many books I might publish, when I’m 90, and he’s 130 (if either of us is alive), I will continue to call him Professor. Maybe I’m old-fashioned (maybe not—there are professors I had when I was a student whom I would call by their first names were I to be in touch with them today). I guess it’s a sign of respect. Anyway, I don’t freak out if students call me something other than Professor Stein. I just consider it to be inappropriate.

 

That’s too hard to answer in a short format. Visiting my book shelf might give you a sense, at least.

 

No. You caught me. They’re just things I feel like telling you.

 

This one is actually asked once in a while. The answer is no. In the event that I make a genuine error in determining the final grade, I will review the work and correct the grade if necessary. This rarely happens. Aside from the rare genuine error, the grade I originally assigned will not be changed.

 

Sorry. Still no.

 

I don’t “own” any television shows. I do watch some, and enjoy a few. But what would I list? Shows I’ve ever seen? Just the ones I like, even if they haven’t been on for decades? Current shows I watch? (That would be a short list.) I enjoy movies as well, and could name a few that I really like. But I don’t own many of them and don’t care about them (in general) enough to make a list. I guess that somehow I value music and books in a more personal way that makes me want to possess them; with movies, I am happy to just rent the DVD, have a good laugh, and be done.

 

I am willing to write recommendation letters for students, but ask that you consider the following: a) If you received lower than an A in a freshman course or a B in an advanced course, remember that the reference letter will indicate the level of performance in the class, among other things, and you are therefore advised to ask yourself whether your performance in the class warrants an excellent recommendation letter. You will probably be better off getting a recommendation from someone who can discuss your superb work; b) I have many students each year. Tell me what term you took my course and anything else that will help me remember the specifics; c) No, you can’t have it tomorrow. I have papers to grade, a life to lead, and all the rest. Give me plenty of notice (weeks if not months); d) It is your responsibility to provide me with all forms and a stamped envelope addressed to the appropriate party; and e) The recommendation letter will be honest.

 

We all have long-term memory loss, to one degree or another. I probably have close to 300 students each year. That’s well over 1,000 in a four-year span. That’s a lot of faces and a lot of names to keep in my head. By whatever quirk that makes us remember some people, there are students whose names stay with me longer than others, but I just can’t keep thousands of names and faces perfectly filed for instant recall on the off chance I bump into you a few years after you took my class. I don’t even try. It’s nothing personal. How about reminding me of your name when you see me, so I don’t stand there pretending I know?