Leaps onto benches in lecture halls, quirky and inspirational catchphrases, imitations, jokes, and references to pop culture. These antics may attract the crowds, but the quality of the teacher keeps students in the seats.
Kushal Bhardwaj, Ph.D. and adjunct instructor in the Department of African and African American studies, is one of UB's best-kept secrets. While Bhardwaj has been teaching courses at UB for over a decade, many students have never heard of "Dr. B."
If students sit in on one of Bhardwaj's courses, they will experience a style of teaching that is not usually seen at the collegiate level. A self-proclaimed "know-it-some, not know-it-all," Bhardwaj tries to impart what he's learned on his students.
"I encourage my students to raise the ‘so what?' question about issues and topics," Bhardwaj said. "Education is a tool for empowerment."
Though he currently teaches American Pluralism, a general education requirement for undergraduates, in the past Bhardwaj has taught courses in American and African American studies, history, anthropology, and a "Hip Hop and Social Issues" course.
Bhardwaj, who was born in Washington, D.C., was raised in both Long Island and Buffalo. He was raised by his father, who was born in Kenya, and his mother, who was born in India, allowing him to use his background to convey cultural differences and raise awareness in his students. His travels have "changed his life," including notable trips to both Ghana and Harlem.
A Ph.D. graduate in American Studies, Bhardwaj is also a huge "music buff," which has inspired his interest in becoming a "cultural historian," analyzing how people use music and culture together in their lives. He believes that by using hip-hop as a tool for studying black culture and history, we can communicate "what has happened, is happening, and is going to happen in nearly every area of society."
This interest inspired his Ph.D. dissertation, which examines "what it means to be a Buffalo hip-hop artist" and whether or not these artists need to leave Buffalo to "blow up."
"Rick James, Ani DiFranco, the Goo Goo Dolls. [These artists] show fertile ground [exists] for people with something to say," Bhardwaj said.
Bhardwaj also uses the interests of his students to form his courses. In his American Pluralism courses, Bhardwaj gives his students an "inquisition" to fill out, asking them questions about where they come from, what they hope to achieve, what famous people they respect, and what topics they are interested in learning about.
"If a majority of my students are interested in John Lennon, I'm going to include Lennon [in the course]," Bhardwaj said.
The professor's innate ability to reach students has not gone unnoticed by university administration. Bhardwaj was presented with the Milton Plesur Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2003, an award given out by the UB Student Association to a professor who teaches with energy and enthusiasm, and who has a memorable effect on his or her students. The award is directly voted for by the student population. Students have also petitioned for more courses to be offered by UB with Bhardwaj as an instructor.
"Not only is he fun and entertaining, but [Bhardwaj] teaches in a way that is both interesting and inspirational," said Mariya Lokshina, a sophomore health and human services major. "He not only cares about the material that he teaches, but he teaches his students about real-life scenarios that are both useful and life-changing."
As an adjunct instructor in a general education course that holds about 50 students per section, Bhardwaj's American Pluralism classes are in high demand this semester. A list of students anxiously awaits any final spots to become available, and current students bring their peers along as "visitors" to classes daily.
"[The amount of] students discussing what we learn outside of class is remarkable," Bhardwaj said.
Bhardwaj's ability to connect with students has been recognized by his colleagues as well. Faculty members respect his teaching abilities and admire the "style" he presents in the classroom.
"Dr. Bhardwaj is the kind of dedicated educator that has been the hallmark of our field," said Keith Griffler, Ph.D. and chair of the Department of African and African American studies and director of the division of transnational studies. "He makes a difference in students' lives with the passion and commitment to excellence he brings to the classroom. Seldom does a day go by that I don't see the evidence of it."
Bhardwaj is not only a "cool" professor because of his ability to capture an audience, but he is extremely knowledgeable and able to pass on his insight to students.
"If ‘cool' means effective teaching where students connect what they know to what they are learning, then I aspire to be the ‘coolest' professor that ever walked the earth," Bhardwaj said.
E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
