Modern Languages: French
Our Professors
Dr. Jhon Akers, enjoying his passion of classical guitar.
Meet Dr. Jhon Akers, an Associate Professor of Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures.
Favorite course to teach: I enjoy all my classes, but when it comes to group classical guitar, I feel there is something even closer to home for me than French and Spanish, language and literature.
Most interesting experience abroad: At the ripe age of 13 I was plucked out of the United States and placed with my family in the French-speaking canton of Vaud, Switzerland: this was a game changer for me and to this day part of me feels Swiss.
Preferred teaching method: Class is at its best when students are the focus. As my students know, I love to give an oral interview as part of every chapter test and final exam.
Years teaching, etc: I began teaching at the Webb School of California back in 1973; I am closing in on 40 years of teaching when my years as a teaching assistant at UCLA are included. My other teaching experiences include Pomona College; Saint Mary’s, Notre Dame; and North Carolina State University.
Hobbies: My hobby for years has been the classical guitar, which holds as much interest for my now as when I started as an undergraduate at Middlebury College in 1970. My niche in the guitar world is a presentation I do on Carl Sandburg’s love of the guitar, and I am proud to mention that I have shared this at more than 50 venues, from schools to churches, colleges and libraries—California to Vermont! Also, as host of the Troubadour Series, I have brought more than 60 classical guitar recitals to Wofford over the past fourteen years
Dr. Caroline Mark is currenlty in class. You'll see more about her in a few weeks time.
Dr. Catherine Schmitz is juggling interim proposals at the moment. Check back for her bio soon!
Dr. Dennis Wiseman, engaging with colleagues.
Get to know Dr. Dennis Wiseman, Reeves Family Professor of French and Provost of the College.
Favorite course to teach: Toss-up between Non-Fiction Literature & Interpreting.
Most interesting experience abroad: Years ago, I spent a summer working on a farm in the Cévennes in the south-central mountains of France. The farm was in a natural park and as such, no mechanical means of farming were allowed. So we harvested grains using hand-scythes, we milked the goats by hand, etc. I learned to make goat cheese and jams from local fruits. When the Revolution comes, I'll have bankable skills that will be what saves me because Revolutionaries almost always kill the educated classes. Just thinking ahead.
Preferred teaching method: Asking lots of questions. Our focus in French is on helping students to arrive at the highest level of oral and written proficiency in the language and so I ask students to speak a great deal and often and I expect them to be able and willing to state and defend opinion and position. My students have the right to ask me my opinion also; we don't have to agree but we do have to speak the language coherently, reasonably, civilly.
Years teaching, etc: I came to Wofford in 1979. Seems like yesterday.
Hobbies: I ride a bike a lot, I like to bake breads, and I read a lot. Bordering on too much. Things told to students on the first day: I am addicted to the news of the world and I expect students to be tuned in to something other than the Wofford Bubble. I like film – from science fiction or comedy to serious artistic things, I was raised listening to country music but I tend to listen to folk (Nickel Creek, the Civil Wars) and most anything baroque, especially guitar adaptations of chamber music. I am ridiculously devoted to our pets. Cute puppy or kitty videos will always make me stop to watch them.