I generally liked Makdisi and would rate him as a quality professor. He is certainly a brilliant man and the thoughts he presents are very intelligent and make impressive connections between history and the literary material. When I was able to focus during his lectures, I usually found what he had to say very insightful and interesting.

My only issue with him is that he can, like others have mentioned, be hard to engage with. He is very soft spoken and measured, so I found myself drifting in and out of what he was saying. It usually depended on how interesting I found the material we were discussing that day.

Still, don't let that dissuade you from taking this class or any with Makdisi. This man is a top-quality academic and if you have any interest in what he is talking about, he will really expand your thoughts and understanding.