Professor Russell is so sweet and very intelligent, I am so glad I got to take this course! The readings were very engaging and the professor's selection opened my eyes to many fantastic novels and authors that I had previously been unaware of. The professor was incredibly empathetic when it came to the difficulties on campus during this quarter and adjusted assignment deadlines and class meetings accordingly, which made a huge difference. While many of my other professors just sort of pretended that these events weren't happening, Professor Russell engaged us in important conversations surrounding them and worked these occurrences into the themes of the class as well. The only issue I had with this course was that I never received feedback or grades on my papers before the end of the quarter but this did not negatively impact my experience of this professor or his class. I would highly recommend any course that Professor Russell teaches in the future!

118A ("Psychoanalysis in Film and Literature") was the best class I have ever taken in my life. In addition to being kind, welcoming, funny, and a great speaker, Professor Russell is truly an expert on the material. He was able to answer almost any question, no matter how obscure, no matter how tangential, with supreme rigor. I am emerging from this class on Freud and Psychoanalysis a better learner, a better reader, and most importantly, a better person, with a greater understanding of myself and the people around me. Taking this class furthered my interpersonal growth, slowly but surely helping me unravel the curtains to my unconscious.

I LOVED this class and this professor, by far one of my favorites that I've taken at UCLA thus far of not my favorite. The professor is extremely engaging, funny, and insightful and cares about students grasping the material. I really enjoyed the novels and only wished there was more time.

I was so sad that I had found out about this professor during my last quarter. One of the most memorable professors ever. His lectures are engaging, profound, insightful, and respectful too. He's extremely intellectual and I learned something new every class. A few classes were cancelled due to personal reasons and for the first time, I was actually bummed that I couldn't attend lecture - his class was that AMAZING. The entire course shifted my perspective on poetry, literature, and the arts and the way I view them now. Every student - especially English majors - should take this professor AT LEAST ONCE. TAKE HIS COURSES TWICE IF YOU CAN. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. Even if I failed his class (which I didn't - thankfully), I believe that I would have still enjoyed it and taken his class again.

Absolutely one of the best professors I've had here. Thrilled to have him as a new hire, just so sad it's my last year! This class is about literary and political theory through the lens of aesthetics, and it covered really interesting terrain. The readings were fun, albeit sometimes a little repetitive, but the lectures kept me engaged and I learned a lot of profound things.