Laura Beraha - McGill University, Montreal, QC

Professor: Laura Beraha

Department: Ethnic Studies

College: McGill University, Montreal, QC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RUSS510
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

It was an absolutely awful class. Probably, the worst I have taken in all my studies. Ms. Beraha is extremely disorganized. The framework of the class was too broad. To top it off she gave me a lesser grade on my final essay calling it "a significant improvement on my previous work" while I received higher grades on all the previous assignments.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RUSS217
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Although Beraha can be confusing in her expectations and little disorganized, I've now taken three classes with her (217,328,390) and can fully recommend her to those who are interested in literature and culture. Tips: come to class, do the readings, and discuss in class and outside of class with her. She is very helpful in office hours!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: RUSS218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof was really difficult to decipher and this class is almost bordering on a history class. We never analyze the literature itself to the extent I would like and her essay grading criteria is ridiculously hard to follow. I rewrote an essay and received a C+ instead of a C.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: RUSS218
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I was really looking forward to taking this class, but halfway into the semester I'm regretting taking it at all. Her lectures are so long and boring, and her grading criteria is extremely unclear. Don't think I've ever received such a poor grade on a literary essay before, and I really felt that I understood what I was writing about. Not happy!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: RUSS218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Class has a lot of potential, but prof Beraha is overly demanding and boring. The literary works chosen for this class are awesome, but we analyse them so much and into ridiculous details that it ruins them for me. Unhelpful during office hours, she'll tell you that your work is "very good" and then give you a terrible mark.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: RUSS430
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Expects way too much of her students, and does not appreciate the care that you put into your work. She says she gives a lot of feedback but it's unclear and if you ask for clarification she just looks at you as if you were stupid. For this class no historical background was provided but we were expected to write stellar cultural papers! Crazy!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: RUSSRUSS
• 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:

She is extremely helpful, and if you are interested in what she's teaching, you should have a great experience. Perhaps she is not clear about what she wants, but I think it's genuinely because she is flexible and would rather let you write about something you are interested in.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: RUSS218
• 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:

She was quite disorganized - jumped around all over the place during lectures. It was hard to know what she wanted from us for our essays- class presentations were easy marks, but demanded a lot from her students in terms of participation. Her WebCT page was way too full - expected us to read way too much for a 200 level. She's nice but boring.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: RUSS217
• 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:

Extremely knowledgeable and approachable. This class was a pleasure. She is a very generous marker if you show an interest.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: RUSS218
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Awfully disorganized, has no idea how to use her own laptop. Horrible teacher. Boring and way too arrogant. For an introductory level course she demands a dissertation for her so called final essay. Oh and she does not know the meaning of the word "essay".

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: RUSS510
• 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:

Beraha challenged me in class, out of class, through assignments, even after the class had finished. Her courses are life changing and the best part about her upper levels are that they are roundtable discussions. Do your work. Fun assignments, phenomenal class sessions, film selections, readings & presentations. You don't want to let her down.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RUSS218
• 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:

Most exciting prof at McGill. Values class participation, teaches us lit that we probably never would have read otherwise, and is kind of more a performer than a professor--definetely charismatic. Also very helpful and kind.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: RUSS219
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Yes, she's a little scattered and the reading guides are more of a confusion then a help. BUT Beraha is really a wonderful woman! She's passionate, energetic, and most importantly, she's a genuinly kind and helpful soul. After four years at McGill, I have experienced many different marking styles, and I must say she is a VERY generous marker!!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: RUSS219
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Beraha's energy is really remarkable. She makes even the most difficult texts accessable and interesting. A most sympathetic and helpful prof; always willing to stay after class or meet you in her office hours for extra help or support. She's a particularily good prof for 1st yrs who are frusterated with huge classes and impersonal professors.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: RUSS510
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

A good professor, but kind of difficult to work with.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: RUSS510
• 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:

Professor Beraha is, without a doubt, the best teacher I've had at McGill. Her courses offer plenty of work, but she's such a wonderful instructor, and so passionate about the subject matter, that she'll make you want to work for her. Very open to student input in the classroom. Takes time to help individual students. Values originality highly.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The best professor I've had at McGill. Where you'll benefit with Laura is one on one. She's good at giving advice. Her subject matter is interesting. Wonderful books and stories. She wants you to go beyond. So try not to repeat too what she says but teach her something. That's how you ace this class

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

A bit hot and cold.Her subject matter is very interesting, but she can be unusually demanding for the smallest things. Not particularly interested in your reactions to literature; focuses heavily on criticism made by other scholars. A bit disorganized.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: RUSS199
• 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:

It is not an easy course - there's a lot of reading and quite a bit of work - but she will make you genuinely love Russian culture. A great choice for all first-years.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: RUSS218
• 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:

Beraha is amazing! She's definitely the best prof I've had at McGill. Her love for Russian lit. is readily evident in her lectures. The readings are fascinating, and the essay topics engaging. Take any class she offers.