Sophia Siok ’28 & Erin Kowalski ’29
Web Editor & Guest Writer
Professor Name: Timothy Joseph
Academic Department: Classics, Peace & Conflict Studies
Classes you teach: Intermediate Latin 1, Tacitus, The Classics & Conflict in the US, 1st Readings in College Latin
Preferred music platform: Spotify
What is your go to playlist?
I don’t really do playlists. I’ve always liked to listen to albums straight through if possible, and there are many I’ve gone to over and over. One record I’ve been listening to a lot lately, for a number of reasons, is Good As I Been to You by Bob Dylan. A record that has accompanied me from the cradle, so to speak — my dad would always play it on weekends — is Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On.
What’s your current favorite song?
Impossible to answer! A couple of songs that have reached that sort of ethereal level over the years are Van Morrison’s “Vanlose Stairway” and Bob Dylan’s “Born In Time.” Oh, and “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke.
What was your favorite artist while in college? Who is your favorite artist now?
Bob Dylan. When I was a student here, my friend Jay and I co-hosted “The Bob Dylan Hour” on 88.1 WCHC. That was a lot of fun. My favorite artist now is Bob Dylan.
Do you think your music taste has evolved with time?
My taste itself? Probably not much. But I find myself learning from friends about great artists I wish I’d known earlier in life, like Joan Armatrading, and I’m currently on like a ten-year Neil Young kick. And there are plenty of contemporary pop artists whose music I appreciate and enjoy. Like when an Adele song comes on at the supermarket, I definitely find myself wailing along while in the hummus aisle or whatever it may be.
Are there any songs you like that are connected to your academic field?
You know, it’s all sort of connected. I have the good fortune of being able to study and teach the art of ancient Greek and Roman writers. So a lot of that work is quite close to what it’s like to get deeply into a good record. This semester my Latin 102 class is reading poems by the Roman poet Catullus, which to me is a lot like listening to Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks.
If you could listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Another tough question! I will go with Miles Davis, “Flamenco Sketches” — or maybe a joyful, never-ending version of “Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad” by the Grateful Dead.
Featured image courtesy of Sophia Siok ’28 & Erin Kowalski ’29
Leave a Reply