John Kalb - Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD

Professor: John Kalb

Department: English

College: Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG389
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible at helping you work on a paper - very judgemental Prompts are so vague that it is hard to write the paper and if you go to him for help he doesn't really help you...

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL384
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Kalb is a very difficult professor. He is a tough grader, makes students read over 100 pages per night, and is not very approachable on top of that.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGL488
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Learned and accessible. Still resonates after all these years.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGL384
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I had Kalb for Native American Literature and it's obvious the man knows his stuff. Has short quizzes at the start of every class, so I wouldn't skip often. He'll definitely improve your analyzation skills and make you appreciate literature a little more.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGL384
• 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:

He is a very upfront man who knows what he's talking about. Do the required reading of course, and cooperate with what he assigns you to do because it really is that much. He's sarcastic and witty, but also very smart and funny. Do your work and participate!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG385
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Overall, Kalb is really cool. However, you MUST read in order to pass because he will call on you randomly so you better know what you're talking about. Also there's a lot of reading that will be assigned so be prepared for that. He gives really in depth analysis on the reading assignments and pushes you to do so as well. Overall, he's great.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL384
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Amazing teacher, he is an amazing teacher for Native American literature. You will learn a lot in the class along while getting a few laughs in.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG253
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I personally liked Professor Kalb, however he definitely isn't for everyone. His exams are pretty easy if you actually read but they're ridiculous when it comes to time (about 30 multiple choice and 2 essays in 50 minutes). He's an extremely tough grader though so make sure you're specific in the quizzes and in the essays.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENGL384
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Kalb had intense (but for the most part enjoyable) reading assignments for every class period. There were quizzes for each reading assignment and the work was rigorous. There were 3 major tests and 4 major papers. Professor Kalb is very intelligent and very helpful but does tend to lack an open mind with input from students.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 253
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is very rude and harsh on comments on test and papers... I would not recommend him. He is always right whether he is actually right or not. And for bringing an English teacher, he doesn't know the definition of common words such as "gesture"

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL384
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Kalb was by far the worst professor I've ever had; he was blatantly rude both in class and especially on papers. He goes out of his way to always seem like he knows more than his students by correcting them on every little thing. He thinks himself funny, which he defiantly not. I would not recommend him as a professor to anyone.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGL389
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Professor Kalb is funny and entertaining, but he gives an intense workload. If you take his class, be prepared to read A LOT. I know it's a lit class, but Kalb makes you read more than any other lit class I've ever taken. He is somewhat a tough grader and does choose favorites. Overall, he's a nice guy, but it is not an easy class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG370
• 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 phenomenal teacher with a great passion for what he does. Probably the most real professor you will ever have. He doesn't sugar coat his ideals and explores concepts in a unique and awesome way. He WILL change your perspective about prejudice and the power of writing. I'm serious. He loves Bob Dylan and cussing. An awesome teacher.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG389
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He offers help after class, take it. I wish he would make it a requirement, because he likes giving his input, into your essays. "I designed the class and I get to teach whatever the hell I want!" were Kalb's half joking/serious words the first day of class. So learn to see what Kalb sees in the text. Some will like him, some won't. I'm the latter.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL384
• 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:

Great guy, great professor. BUT, I am writing this review to warn his potential students NOT to take registering for one of his classes lightly. Every class, he requires a one-page written response AND gives a quiz. This makes it very difficult to get away without doing the readings. Recommended, but don't load up on other hard classes with him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGL384
• 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:

Kalb was a great teacher. While he may not be the easiest grader when it comes to major papers, he does something majority of teachers can't, make the class interesting. He assigns a wide variety of books to read that all have something for everyone. If action or drama is your thing, then the readings will not disappoint. Kalb is also not one to sh

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG385
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

obtaining an A in this class is not a problem if you do the reading thoroughly. The quizzes reflect the reading so if you do it they should not be a problem, and the daily responses are only to spur class discussion.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENGL357
• 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's fun and all, but he expects too much. There is a quiz every class AND you have to bring in a one page response detailing what you feel is the "most significant" aspect of the day's reading. It is a pain, and the quizzes are often hard, too. He expects you to know every character's name exactly and does not give credit if you are close.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG253
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Kalb is a tough teacher, there is no way around this. He is demanding and his class itself requires a lot of work. However, your writing WILL improve because he is tough. If you want an 'A,' I suggest taking it with a different teacher, in the long run though you will benefit from him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGL102
• 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:

slightly intimidating at first but overall a great teacher. sarcastic sense of humor and very enjoyable class. english is not my strong subject and i managed to pull an A. read the materials and be prepared. very easy pop quizzes on short stories. i would def take him again