Deirdre Sabina Knight - Smith College, Northampton, MA

Professor: Deirdre Sabina Knight

Department: East Asian Lang. & Literature

College: Smith College, Northampton, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FYS140
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Truly inspirational! She teaches from her heart. She also challenges her students, but her criteria are clear and she's always willing to help. I have thought over our class discussions many many times since our class.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: EAL232
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Sabina is really passionate about the material she teaches. She expects a lot from you but if you need help, she is always more than willing. I have taken multiple classes with her, and would recommend as long as you are willing to participate in class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: EAL232
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

A genuine sweetheart, and you learn a lot!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 232
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Knight is a gem of a professor and person. She definitely sets high standards but will work relentlessly to help you achieve them. Also great office hours.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CLT239
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

I can't thank Professor Knight enough for an amazing semester. The content of the course paired with her amazing teaching style made me look forward to every class. I always left this class feeling excited and thoughtful, even though at first I was intimidated by Prof. Knight's high standards. I noticed a lot of personal & academic growth.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 239
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took CLT 239 with Professor Knight; it was hard, but really worth it. Although she expects a lot from her students, she's very, very approachable and will give you all help and guidance you need. It's a definite that you will develop more cogent, thoughtful writing under her.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CLT239
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I really looked forward to class, and three of us talked about our readings and discussions over dinner too.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FYS140
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had to work hard, but I learned *so* much that helped me in other classes, and in life.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FYS140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I feel like my writing skills greatly improved by the end of the semester, but getting to that point was hard and terrifying. She is obviously very smart and knows what she's talking about, but she is condescending and self-absorbed. She figures out who she likes and dislikes from the very beginning and the environment in the class is unpleasant.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: EAS200
• 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:

Knight knows her stuff, she is incredibly intelligent, caring, and wants you to do well. She is accessible and always willing to help during office hours or in class. She is enthusiastic and passionate about the topics she teaches which makes the students more interested in learning. She IS a difficult grader, but it pushes students!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: FYS140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was demanding, but the help with writing really prepared me for the rest of college.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CLT260
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She's absolutely brilliant, and knows SO much - you definitely learn a lot from her, and not just about literature. Contemplative exercises really helped, and feedback on essays was always constructive. Can be picky about the format of essays, so be sure to stick to her guidelines (which are really helpful, anyway!).

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: FYS140
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Interesting, but condescending. Take another seminar if you're a first year, because she'll make you cry when you get your final grade.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CLT000
• 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:

condescending sometimes. doesn't need to remind students she's intelligent because she is. should focus less on themes and take away msgs from stories. chill out.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: EAL232
• 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:

I loved this class, especially the improvised skits and general class discussions.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FYS140
• 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:

She seemed to have no sense of what was appropriate and not appropriate to say in class. She has no problem telling students that their ideas are bad or dumb. She even made a few people tear up because of what she said to them. She is extremely harsh and a hard grader

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CLT260
• 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:

"Health and Illness" was my favorite class since coming to Smith. I loved the readings, and the contemplative exercises worked well to focus class discussions.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: EAL238
• 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:

Professor Knight got everyone talking, and the conversations were really thought-provoking.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: EAL232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Knight is very clear and organized, and her class helped me to like literature better.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: EAL232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This class opened my mind and made me like literature and writing again.