Professor Profile: Brent Metz
A few questions with Professor Brent Metz.
Tuesday, August 28th, 2007
1. What courses do you teach?
I teach “Indigenous Traditions of Latin America,” “MexAmerica,” “Introduction to Cultural Anthropology” and “Masculinity in Cross-Cultural Perspective.”
2. What do you enjoy the most about the courses you teach?
I like exposing students to alternative visions of world history and human cultures.
3. Where is your hometown?
St. Joseph, Mich.
4. What was your favorite part about college?
I came from a small town, so I liked being exposed to alternative visions. My horizons were broadened by going to college. Things started to make sense.
5. Describe your perfect day.
It would consist of walking my two dogs, Trotsky and Zora, working in my garden, running or riding my bike and spending time with my friends.
6. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I’m overdue to go to South America. I’ve been to Mexico and every country in Central America, and I’ve taught multiple courses about South America, but I’ve never been there. I’d especially like to go to Chile because it’s mountainous and still wild, although the wilderness is going fast.
7. What is your favorite place on campus and why?
My favorite place is Potter Lake because of all the monuments around it. I like to walk my dogs there. It’s the prettiest part of campus, and it has a nice view of the stadium and the bell tower.
8. What is your most embarrassing moment while teaching?
There are so many of them. But my most embarrassing moment happened once after the time changed. I hadn’t changed my watch yet, and was in my office when a student came and asked if we were having class. I said no, not yet, but didn’t realize that it was 20 minutes into class. I was late.
9. Who is your hero?
Someone like Noam Chomsky, because he was academic and an activist, and successful at both.
10. What one accomplishment are you the most proud of?
Publishing my latest book, and the whole project it involved. My book was published last year, and is titled “Chorti-Maya Survival.” I also co-authored a book in Spanish titled “Primero Dios,” and I’m working on two others right now.
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