Academics at Knox are a big part of what makes the Knox experience so memorable, and a large part of why Knox was included in Loren Pope's book: Colleges that Change Lives. Every professor I've had knows my name, and will say hello when they see me in passing.
My favorite class was "Women, Culture, and Society," taught by Kelly Shaw. Not only were the readings interesting, but the students were allowed to talk for the better part of every class period. Kelly was informed about the subjects we were discussing, which was helpful because she could provide us with facts and information we wouldn't otherwise have, but otherwise it was up to us to make class time worthwhile, and we always did. I never once missed one of those classes; it was the reason I woke up in the morning.
If you come to Knox, you've got to be prepared to work hard. Some people might think that we don't work hard because we only take three classes at a time and we take those classes two or three times a week, but the lack of class time compared to other schools is made up for by the work load, and the fact that each term lasts only 10 weeks. It is a very concentrated learning environment, so there isn't a lot of room to slack off.
I haven't seen much competitiveness in my classes at Knox so far. I think Knox does a good job of making sure every student has a voice, and every student has access to what they need to get the education they are looking for, so there is not really a need for competition among students for grades or the attention of the teacher.
Some of the most unique classes I've seen offered here at Knox are The Holocaust in Theatre and Film, and Jane Austen and Bridget Jones. There are always new classes being offered for a term by visiting professors that promise to be a unique experience unlike any other classes you might take in your typical schedule.
I am a double major of Music and Gender and Women's Studies. The Music Department is a very prestigious department at this school. The choir and the jazz ensembles in particular are very well-renowned, and the faculty who teach music lessons are all very wonderful people. There's something for everyone who wants to be involved. The Gender and Women's Studies department is one of my favorite departments on campus, because the faculty are all great people, and every class I've taken in that department has been extremely beneficial to me in some way. Those are the classes that I can tell have had a profound effect on who I am, which is what drew me to the major.
During the first week on campus in your first year here, you are taken out to dinner by the faculty member who is going to be your advisor, at least until you declare a major. It was really great to get to spend some time with a Knox professor at his home in Galesburg within a few days of being on campus. I know many professors who take their students out to dinner or will meet with them over coffee to discuss some work they may want advice on. At the beginning of this year I met with a friend of mine at the home of two of our professors, had dinner, and spent the entire evening involved in six hours worth of stimulating conversation.
As more and more students are interested in Knox, the requirements for admission are getting more and more difficult, but I think overall Knox does a good job at knowing who is right for this school and who is not. As far as graduation requirements go, you are sure to have a well-balanced education when you leave Knox. I feel like I will truly have a liberal arts education, because the graduation requirements force you to go outside of your major and take certain courses in other departments that are focused on completely different aspects of education and life than the courses you would take if you just focused on your career path. That is one of the things I love about taking classes here. You are strongly encouraged to do things outside of your major, which is what makes this campus so diverse. There are neuroscience majors in the choir, and there are football players who write poetry and are involved in the theatre department.