Brian Trehearne - McGill University, Montreal, QC

Professor: Brian Trehearne

Department: English

College: McGill University, Montreal, QC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENGL311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Trehearne's intensity scared me a bit at first, but as the semester went on, I could tell he just really cares and wants you to do well. He wants you to learn. I feel like I'm leaving this class actually having learnt things. He really helps you improve your writing. Lots of assignments, but helps you improve with each one.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL311
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I remember Prof Trehearne scared me a bit with his intensity at first, but I warmed up to him as he proved to be a very caring teacher. Pretty tough marker but his feedback is VERY helpful so actually take it & apply it to your writing. Get prepared to do LOTS of writing for this course (3+ essays) There are also 2 sit down exams (not too too hard

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG311
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's a great lecturer and knows a lot about his subject. He teaches very well, is attentive to his students and his class is genuinely enjoyable. However, his marking is critical, condescending and unnecessarily mean. If you're confident in your skills and can take shattering criticism then you're in the right place.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Trehearne is the worse professor I've ever had in my entire life. He's the toughest grader ever. You'll read almost a hundred pages a week. If you're more into creative writing like myself, I suggest you not take a course like his, where everything is just so rigid.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGL311
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof Trehearne prides himself on being the hardest marker at McGill. In his mind, he is not trying to screw you over, but he is driving you to be better. This class will make you hate yourself and at certain points you will be so discouraged you don't think you can go on. But in the end, he makes you a better writer. Attend his writing workshop.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL327
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a great prof who gives earnest and engaged classes that promote participation. You definitely need to attend because he is a hard marker.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Brian Trehearne is an excellent professor. This course is extremely challenging. However, Prof. Trehearne will do everything within his power to see you excel. Extremely helpful both during class and his office hours, and he really cares about his students. I'm glad I had him. Worked my ass off for a B, but I'd pick him everytime.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL311
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His class and standards were not easy by any means, but he kept me engaged and eager to go to class the entire semester. He is eager to offer help to students, and if you are serious about learning poetry and improving your writing, then he is your guy.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENGL328
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I too now teach English and was once Prof. Trehearne's student. He had standards, was modest, cared very much about both literature and student performance and success, and was immensely helpful and generous as I began to write my dissertation. A great professor and a very good man.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL328
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'm sorry that the previous poster had a bad experience with BT; I'm also now a tenured professor, and I hold him up as a model of how instructors should act AND the kind of behaviour upon which students should model their own. His clarity, generosity, and integrity are, in my experience, unequalled in the academic setting.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL327
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a good teacher although he expects a lot from his students. He actually gives constructive comments on your papers to help you to write better papers. He will go out of his way to help any of his students improve. Very dedicated teacher.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGL228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

Incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about poetry. Uncompromising marker. He is a REAL TEACHER, one who aims to help you improve your writing and understand the material instead of curving the exam. Cares a great deal about his students. Def one of the best profs in the department.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

To the guy below who wrote, "If you want to go to grad school don't take his class. You will screw up and get a C. He is old school and wants you to be extremely meticulous- which is sometimes not possible." I took his classes and got A's, and got into grad school, and got a PhD, and got a tenured job. What was your complaint again?

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Although a demanding professor, he cares very much about his students and is willing to go miles out of his way to help them achieve their goals. Very knowledgeable.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing prof - really knows what he's talking about. I'm in science, but have always loved English - wouldn't suggest this class to anyone who wasn't comfortable with analysis of literature. Really helpful but super tough marker. An A- in the course is very possible - midtrm and final aren't bad. Expect low marks on the essay, though. GO TO CLASS.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGL228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Amazing prof - really knows what he's talking about. I'm in science, but have always loved English - wouldn't suggest this class to anyone who wasn't comfortable with analysis of literature. Really helpful but tough, marker. An A- in the course is very possible - midtrm and final aren't bad. Expect low marks on the essay, though. GO TO CLASS.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGL228
• 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:

In hindsight this class was not a good idea to take since I don't buy into analyzing literature to death. Do not take if you're in your first year and not majoring in english. Prof's a hard marker - half the class failed the midterm. Trehearne is a nice enough guy, if not a bit condescending. Would not take this class again.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG228
• 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:

If you want to go to grad school don't take his class. You will screw up and get a C. Take his class on P/F options only. The teacher is good and knows his stuff and he will teach you if you are interested. However he is old school and wants you to be extremely meticulous- which is sometimes not possible

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: N/A

Comment:

He is extremely strict, to point of bullying, but he is also one of the smartest people I have ever met.

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

After the first lecture I was terrified. This man is very serious about literature. He does however know his stuff and is the only prof who will give you enough feedback to make your writing better. In all, scary but necessary.