James Young - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Professor: James Young

Department: English

College: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Too much reading but fascinating class. Learn the art of skimming & faking having read the book. Pick a couple of things to actually read in-depth and then write the papers about those (& always quote & cite him!), but make sure you read enough and know enough of everything to do well on midterm (take notes in lecture/discussion and regurgitate).

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH319
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Make sure you have a great TA- they make or break your grade. His lectures have nothing to do with the discussion. TAs are great with papers- they help you a lot if you're not a strong writer. There's a lot of reading, so you have to love the subject. Don't take unless you're a strong reader and have the time.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was annoying as a Gen-Ed. The reading is HEAVY and somewhat ridiculous (usually a 300 page book a week) and the sad part is that you barely talk about it in discussion. Young is cool and knows a lot of information but he's a tad boring (and constantly clears his throat). This class is a makebreak by your TA. Find a different AL GenEd.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH319
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's legit a celebrity, he's spoken with and met so many people and is known for his work and holocaust studies by people in multiple countries. He really cares about his work, the lecture is a little bit boring but if you have his for your discussion it makes up for it because you get legit one on one time with him. I really enjoyed his course.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

James Young and Sut Jhally are UMass legends. Young knows EVERYTHING there is about the Holocaust! He's also so humble you would never know he's met Clinton or spoken at almost every Holocaust memorial in a dozen countries. He's a celebrity! I still wonder why he teaches at UMass. Make sure to get him as a TA too though to get the Youngexperience.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I really enjoyed this class and recommend it to anyone who is interested in the subject. Dr. Young is sometimes quite hard to understand as he speaks very subdudlely (sit in/near the front). He definitely knows what he's talking about and he's passionate about his work as well. If you have any questions or theories he is more than happy to listen!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I have a hard time sitting through the mandatory lectures because I find him difficult to hear. Maybe it's just the microphone. He also has very few visuals and, though he definitely knows his stuff, seems to jump around a bit. Doesn't hold my attention. That being said, the class is very easy. Definitely a GPA booster.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

The class consisted of 2 five page papers and a midterm that he graded on a -, check, check + scale. The topic is very interesting but you have to like to read to really want to take the course. I took the course as a gen ed but really liked it. He gives the opportunity to rewrite papers.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Everyone should take this class. It really gives you a new look at something that everyone thinks they know. There are SO many dimensions to the Holocaust, and this class covers them all. In that, it's more than appropriate that its cross-listed, it feels like an English class, but with something more. Prof. Young is amazing, he has so much to say.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• 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:

Lectures are intense, lots of visuals halfway through the course. Young knows more than anyone on the Holocaust, literature, memorials, art. You have to get him as discussionsection leader too, if you want the full effect. Amazing class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Young uses no slides, no student participation, and doesn't even more around the stage. Lectures are like watching paint dry. Readings are great, assignment are standard essays and exams. Only take it if you feel passionate about Holocaust literature. And get a good TA.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: JUD350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He talks like a text book so it's easy to loose your place. BUT, pretty hot for an old guy. Looks exactly like Richard Gere

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I thought he was a great teacher he was my TA as well so it made the class easier b/c you knew exactly what he was expecting. Very smart man with alot to say. Some lectures are boring but majority are really intersting

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He was really nice, goodlooking, and a really good teacher. You have two - 5 page essays and a midterm. He gives you the midterm questions a head of time and you are allowed to use notes and anything else you bring, including texts. The first two essays are easy and can be done without going to class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Was skeptical about the class at first, but it became one of the most interesting I've taken in my college career. Lectures were not crucial and you may lose interest at times, but I came to enjoy them. I can say honestly I will miss this class. (Get a good T.A.)

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• 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:

Hot and brilliant, Young knows everything about this area. Lectures are intense, but the hall is not great for sound. Lots of material covered and Young will take time with you just to get to know you and hear your reactions to class. Probably the best class I've ever had at UMass.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

the lecture is pretty useless but the discussion was very helpful. i stopped going to the lecture halfway through the course bc the content of his lectures wasirrelevent to writing papers and doing well in discussion (and i got an A). read the books and go to discussion and participate in discussion and you're golden. it's a great course.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: COMPLIT391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This turned out to be such a great class! He talks kind of swiftly so it's easy to lose him sometimes. I had Pamela Williams for discussion and she is so cool and a wicked sweetheart!!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG319HOLCST
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Intelligent, attractive for an older guy, but while readings are fascinating, lectures range from mildly interesting to eh/average. TAs will make or break the course - Rob Reginio is AMAZING. Take this class if you're interested in the Holocaust beyond the historical X event happened in year Y stuff. Lots of reading, but very satisfying course.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Had him for a very specific Jewish Studies class. Tough but reasonably fair. A whole lot of reading and I never felt like he did enough to break up his points into something managable for people who didn't already know a few things about the subject.