David Matlin - San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Professor: David Matlin

Department: English

College: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG584W
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A passionate professor, David allows his students to discover the art of reading and writing through inspirational lectures, stunning memoirs, and readings of our own narratives. The books are a must and fortunately you can find them used very easily. Attendance is recommended as much as possible. Great workshop professor!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL570
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Very knowledgeable man with great experiences and insight. Poetry class was super easy and enjoyable.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FIC750
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great writer, teacher and mentor. I feel bad I didn't return any of the books he leant me.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGL581W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof Matlin is awesome! I took him for fiction writing. Before taking this class I hadn't even ever considered writing a novel, after taking this class I've discovered a new love for writing. He encourages discovery of your talents and gives constructive feedback on your writing. The only homework and final in this class is to work on your writing.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGL544
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Prof Matlin is a really intelligent professor. He definitely knows what he talks about and has been teaching for quite awhile. British Modernism was particularly easy. All you needed to do was read the novels assigned, and then come to class ready to listen to the discussion and sometimes contribute. Attendance is mandatory. Final was a 10 pg paper

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL581W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Super easy class that's pretty much nothing but writing and peer reviewing. Entire grade is based on your writing and quality of comments given to fellow writers. We discussed the book we were supposed to read in class but there wasn't a test or anything. He likes to go on rants a lot but the class is definitely helpful for aspiring writers.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL527
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

very easy A for the novel writing class. Don't bother buying the books because you never really use them. You won't get anything out of the class from him though but the peer work is useful

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG526
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's intense, brilliant and for the most part full of chit. I like him...he's unique

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG543
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Matlin is one of the most brilliant and imaginative human beings I have had the pleasure of meeting. He is passionate about art, language, people, ideas, nature, life in general. Some think he's pompous, but they are just too quick to judge and missing his whole point! He talks a lot but if you care about the subject you'll be enlightened!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL543
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great professor! He tries to teach his students about life, and not just how to write a good paper. His lectures are very interesting. You have to put in the time and do a lot of work, but it's worth it. Show him that you are interested and he'll reward you. He expects you to think and apply all assignments to yourself! Take him..

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG581W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Entire class is just working on the beginnings of a novel. No quizzes, tests, hw, or final. Had to read 3 novels for inspiration but no one did. I got an A. Class time was just reading & commenting one another's work & progress. He's nice willing to help. Never let us out early. He goes off on tangents. Loves to hear himself talk.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG571
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Matlin's short story class is fine. No tests, and you don't really need to buy the side reader. It is time consuming writing 3-4 short stories and he's tough on the quality and technique, but overall it is a very enjoyable class. Take him.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG581
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Everyone on this site seems to think that Dr. Matlin isn't great. Fact of the matter is, he is amazing. I don't think students realize that a college teacher is not supposed to change for you, you're supposed to change for the class. He allows you to do this and encourages personal exploration which is RARE. Pay attention, do the work, TALK to him

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Matlin is an excellent professor. If you are a lazy high school-minded student then you might have negative comments. But, if you actually care about learning about lit then "Mad Man" Matlin could be a great mentor for you. He takes time to bring out the academic within you--giving you the opportunity to discover your own abilities.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG600
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

A waste of time, and the public's money that is used to employ him. He doesn't care about class or the work.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG543
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very long winded. You might zone out during lecture because he never stops, doesn't ask questions, and goes off on tangents. It's still unclear to me wether the tangents relate to topics or not. Very nice guy, bless his heart.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 581
• 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:

Extremely helpful and enthusiastic about his students' success. If you hate reading, writing and learning new things, don't take Matlin, because he actually wants to teach. Show him you care and he's a good guy to have on your side. Getting an 'A' is easy as doing the assignments and showing up to class having read the materials.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ROMANTICTRADIT
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Do not take this class because you wont learn anything except how one teacher can talk about himself for 3 hours. Received good grade in class and I still would never EVER take this class again. Do yourself a favor, AVOID!!!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG581W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Writing class is simple. Just write and revise as requested. I never even read the books he required and still got an A. But MAN is this guy long winded. I've never known anyone to exhaust a conversation like him. Still, very little work to get an A. I'm surprised it's a 500 level class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG543
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Obviously passionate about what he teaches. He doesnt prefer to give students precise instructions, and depending on what kind of student you are, that can be a good or bad thing. Grade was based on midterm and final paper...and the midterm was a prelude of the final paper in either presentation or short paper format. Nice guy.