Susan Scotto: Serious Scholar, "Big Bitch," or Both?

"I try to be open to a variety of possibilities and say there's not just one way to do anything, whether it's being a parent, teacher, wife, or writer," says Susan Scotto, lecturer in Russian. "There's no right answer to anything in life, which is somewhat unsettling, but opens up a great freedom. Exploring is what makes life interesting, so why should we close off any possibility to ourselves?"

If you don't quite know what to make of Susan Scotto, that's just the way she likes it. The unconventional lecturer in Russian language and literature is also working on a biography of two alumnae, has written mystery novels, is the mother of two, and wife of associate professor of Russian Peter Scotto. But she's probably better known for her performance art, her penchant for leopard-patterned clothing, and the current "Big Bitch" film series.

"When I was doing the Barbie shows last year, people asked, 'What does this have to do with Russian?' I replied 'Why should performance art have to be related to what I teach?'" Scotto says. "I resist people's tendency to label others and define their roles. People are far more interesting and varied than we often give them credit for."

She opted off the tenure-track to pursue a variety of passions. "I gave up that security, but it's given me a lot more intellectual freedom." Currently, she's writing a biography of Charlotte and Mary Ely, both class of 1861, who worked as missionaries in Turkey. Scotto attracted students to her Russian literature survey course with an online posting promising "Sex! Sin! Avant-garde hijinks!" (It's not just hype; read Tolstoy's Kreutzer Sonata.) She taught Crime and Punishment by inviting New York police officer John Timoney to explain why Raskolnikov would have been an immediate suspect in the book's murder. "Our students should realize that those beyond Mount Holyoke's gates have much to offer us in our daily work, and also that what we do within these walls is important to those outside them," she explained.

Even when using more traditional teaching methods, Scotto is likely to wear something like an alligator-textured vinyl miniskirt. If she stands out in a largely tweedy academic crowd, that's fine. "Anyone who doesn't dress in accordance with her role gets looks, but the way I look may make people think about what they consider appropriate or inappropriate."

Her current "Big Bitch" performances and film series might also be considered inappropriate, especially by some feminists. In her performance piece, Scotto says, "Use emotion to inspire you, but use your brains to get what you want. And [use] your body." She explains, "There's no one right way to live your life or to get what you want. Take the best route for yourself, take responsibility for your actions, and to hell with what everyone else thinks." Is Scotto serious? "I take the subjects very seriously, yet I'm tackling them in a comic manner so people will enjoy it while also being challenged to think," she says.

What draws together all these disparate aspects of Scotto's personality? "I try and stay open to all possibilities. People are very happy to judge you, but if you're willing to take the heat, you're one step ahead of the game." As the sign on her office door says, "Of course it's hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. Hard is what makes it great!"