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Georgetown Sophomore Jessica Gitner enjoyed learning about music and popular culture from Professor Stilwell. (Photo: courtesy Jessica Gitner)

When Jessica Gitner enrolled in Professor Stilwell’s special topics seminar entitled “Music, Gender, and Sexuality” during the second semester of her sophomore year, she did not know what to expect.

“It was my first seminar class at Georgetown, and I was a little intimidated being the only underclassman in a class of six,” Gitner said. “But Professor Stilwell made me feel comfortable. She gave lots of individual attention to each student.”

It was in writing her final research paper for class that she was able to use Professor Stilwell’s extensive knowledge of the social impact of music. The topic of her paper entitled "Reading Music as Lesbian: Reasons and Functions," came naturally to her after writing shorter papers on the perceptions of masculinity and femininity of popular musicians.

“Professor Stilwell was a constant resource to me. She knew a huge body of information about any musician I asked her about,” Gitner explained.  “Since there's not a huge wealth of academic writing on popular music, my discussions with her were invaluable to writing my final paper.”

As a senior graduating in May 2009 with a double major in Political Economy and American Musical Culture, she notes that her time spent in Stilwell’s course was one of her most “gratifying experiences at Georgetown.”  

“What stands out about Professor Stilwell is that many of her research topics are accessible to students.” Gitner continued, “Her articles about Risky Business, 'The X-Files,' and Melissa Etheridge are research-intensive, but they are also inherently interesting to students.” 

Gitner, an avid follower of current media trends and popular culture, hopes to pursue a career in the music or performing arts after graduation. The knowledge  she gleaned from Stilwell’s courses will serve her well, as much of Stilwell’s knowledge of music is rooted in current affairs and popular culture.

“Because a lot of her research is on music in contemporary film and television, Professor Stilwell often knows more about pop culture than her students,” said Gitner. “I think that surprised a lot of us in the seminar, but it also offered a really fresh and effective way for us to connect and break down the barrier between student and professor.”

Gitner describes Professor Stilwell’s emphasis on the “relevancy of looking deeper at the meaning and implications of contemporary music” as key to Stilwell’s success in engaging her students. Gitner said she is certain that she will use the skills she learned in Stilwell’s classes long after graduation.

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