Arthur Athanason - Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Professor: Arthur Athanason

Department: English

College: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ALLALL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took every course Dr. Athanason taught during my years at MSU. He was an extraordinarily gifted teacher and scholar. Today, I hold my own PhD in English and American Literature and teach at a major university. As a tribute to Arthur, I teach at least one of the plays I studied with him every semester - Joseph Pizzo, PhD, MSEd

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ALLALL
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took every course Dr. Athanason taught during my years at MSU. He was an extraordinarily gifted teacher and scholar. Today, I hold my own PhD in English and American Literature and teach at a major university. As a tribute to Arthur, I teach at least one of the plays I studied with him every semester - Joseph Pizzo, PhD, MSEd

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

In 96/97 I had him for a undergraduate course on contemporary drama and a graduate seminar on Tennessee Williams and William Inge. I remember finishing a 20 minute speech in the seminar and Athanason asking, "Now what was it really about?" Uh! -- He was a one of a kind teacher and he will be missed. Great guy.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG426D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I was heartbroken to see Prof. Athanason had passed away; he was an absolute revelation as an instructor and gave me one of the best academic experiences of my four-year MSU career. He will be missed and I am sorry for future students who will not benefit from his teaching.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG210D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Sorry to hear that he passed away. took him in the fall of 1999. At the time, he seemed vague. My grades in the class were poor and I thought he was a mean old man. As the class progresed my work got better and it seemed I was better able to grasp the course material. A lot of difficult questions he asked but looking back the class was worth it

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He said, during office hours, that when you are standing in a mob full of people, it is impossible to find the others that are willing to step away from the crowd. It is only when you have the courage to step away from that that you are able to locate the others who have also done so. He was a brilliant man and I try to live that wisdom every day.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: PLAYWRITING
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Arthur Athanason died on September 5, 2005. I studied with him during the first years he was at Michigan State. He was the greatest of all my professors and my first literary mentor. The world has lost a great man. Susan Dormady Eisenberg

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: 426D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

While I graduated several years ago, I came across this site and wanted to add my 2 cents on what a great professer he was/is. While I the course was difficult and he was very demanding, it was one of the best experiences I had in my 5-plus years of undergraduate education.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG426AD
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Wonderful professor. First I thought he was harsh and obtuse, then I thought he was arrogant, then I thought he was crazy and finally I thought he was brilliant. I think he might be all of these things. I learned so much about how to approach theatre and literature in general. TAKE HIS CLASSES!!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG426E
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

brilliant professor, sell your first born to have one of his classes

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG371
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Dr. Athanason cares more about what we learn in his classes and from literature than most teachers ever dream of. He isn't afraid to challenge students to think for themselves and he expects a lot out of you. I grew so much with his guidance.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took this class in the early 90s. It's one of the few memorable experiences from MSU's teaching staff. He made me look at literature differently, with respect for the creator even if I didn't like it. Great professor.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 426DENG
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

This teacher was a frustrated thespian. He should retire and let new teachers take his place. No one should have to endure him acting out scenes from plays ever again.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He's hard, he's passionate, a little over the top sometimes, but he knew what he was talking about

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG426D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

As an MSU graduate, I remember most those profs who made class come to life-Anthanason is one of the great! As stated, he is a TOUGH grader who makes you work, but you will learn an immense amout about literature from the insightful questions he poses.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Tough grader, but just an EXCELLENT teacher all around! Brings literature to life. Incredibly intelligent and a very personable and caring professor and person.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: PLAYWRITIN
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

I took this course back in the mid 1970s and it was a life-changing experience. Not a lecturer but a guide, he asks remarkable difficult questions that have no right or wrong answers and asks you to learn by answering them concisely. Outstanding!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

First English courses with him, I was a freshman, took time to appreciate the total value of lectures (and sometimes didn't grasp them) until I was older - you will not forget this great instructor! My class was 1978-79!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG426D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: N/A
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Excellent lecturer. Passionate and intelligent, tough grader. Recommended!