Lawrence Wheeler - Portland State University, Portland, OR

Professor: Lawrence Wheeler

Department: Honors

College: Portland State University, Portland, OR

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HON101102
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I was in Prof. Wheeler's honour courses. His classes were difficult and challenged me to read and think critically. I now attend Harvard and I can say he is a Harvard level professor. Many students give him low marks because they are not equipped for top level academic work. Thank you Professor Wheeler!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: HON101102
• 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 love Wheeler. His humor is based in academia, if you are an intellectual he, as a person, will make a lot more sense to you. I've learned a lot more about writing and the academic world from him than any other professor. He'll like you if you show that you're at least trying. He's only sharp-tongued to those who don't want to really try.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HON102
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am a straight A student who would otherwise have a 4.0 both in highschool and college, till I took this class. Wheeler gives no useful feedback, only roasts you for minor errors and tells you you are wrong or didnt understand. He gives no contrsuctive criticism and is unapproachable, rude, and doesnt help you in any way. Do not take his class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HON101
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

So frustratingly vague and out of touch. Lost in the world of academia. He's (randomly, I am not an active class participant/skilled student) chosen to take mercy on me, but he's often insulting in his critiques of my peers' work. Much of class is spent discussing readings irrelevant to the single paper that determines the majority of your grade.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HON101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Grades on only two project. Not very specific and very confusing to understand what he's asking. actually too smart for his own good.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: HON101102
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Wheeler knows he is the smartest person in the room and he has no qualms about letting you know both in class and out. His feedback on the 1 graded assignment for the term is of little to know help and you'll feel like the dumbest person ever. The lectures, while mandatory, are useless and some reading material is never tested on. Don't Take.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HON199
• 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:

I took his class years back, he's very intelligent and gives plenty of feedback (although gives vague instructions), but there are things one should know ahead of time. He can certainly play favorites with students. There are those who he adores and can do no harm, and then there are those he insults or ignores, or insults, based on if he likes you

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: HON101
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Exceptions will be graded reasonably. Few assignments at the high cost of ambiguous instructions. Expect harsh criticism during one on one meetings and your precious intellect. Course material may often times be irrelevant and lectures likewise. Professor has a tendency to "ditch" the class early... expects you to stay. Prevent stress and avoid.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: HON101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Wheeler is truly a "play the game" sort of teacher. Figuring out how to pretend to be worthy of his intellectual presence is honestly the key to a successful grade. Make sure to keep the thesaurus open on your final essays, and ask to turn in multiple drafts for comment before the final is due, he likes elevated language.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HON407
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Wheeler is one of the best professors I've ever had. He doesn't just hand you your grade, you have to work for it. Some ppl on here said he doesn't hold office hours, yet he always made time to meet with me. If you are too scared to ask for help, that's on you. Excellent lecturer, informative, fun, thought-provoking class!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HON101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you are coming into the Honors College at PSU and have Prof. Wheeler for Hon101-103, SWITCH OUT NOW. The lectures are usually not applicable to final assignment each quarter and he will refuse to answer your questions or hold office hours. Take a different professor. There is only one reason he is still holding a position at PSU: tenure.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HON101102
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Let me just say this: if you are confident in your skills as a writer, don't expect to leave this class with that same confidence. Although a respected professor at the University HC, Wheeler's criticisms are more injuring than constructive. Pompous, arrogant, very unhelpful with his feedback, and expects you to know everything w/o instruction.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HON101
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have never, in my life, had a more ineffective teacher than Lawrence Wheeler. Do not take this class. Your grade in the class comes down to one paper and one presentation. That's it. Lawrence likes for you to read his mind. He apparently grades at random, my first paper I got an A, my second he refused to grade multiple times. Truly awful.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HON101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Wheeler tells the funniest stories, which make his lectures very interesting. He treats everyone in the class with respect, is professional ,but comfortable to be around. His knowledge of broad subjects and travel experience make you feel lucky to know someone as unique of a character as he is. His class is challenging but he'll prepare you.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HON103
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This professor is not only pedantic and confusing but also abrasive. He expects you to know things way out of the scope of the class and seems to get off on the fact that he knows something you don't. Don't expect to know what you have to do for a project because no matter how well you think you understand what he wants, you don't.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HON101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I wanted to like Prof. Wheeler. He's intelligent, and sometimes funny- but I can't say I've actually learned anything in his class. He's not a clear communicator and assignments aren't properly explained. I wish he'd offer alternative explanations to topics, and grading rubrics would be nice. This class has hurt my love of writing.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HON407
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Wheeler is perhaps one of the most misunderstood professors in the UHC. It's true that he is not always clear on assignments, but if you show that you care and ask clarifying questions he is sure to help. You cannot fake the funk in his classes, know your stuff, which you would think would go unsaid for a program that is prep for gradschool.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HON201
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Extremely unclear. No idea what this class was about. Gives feedback, but is teaching at a way higher level then should be taught to a 202 gen Ed class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HON202
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He gives a "participation grade," but really that just means come and sign the roster, because most likely you won't even get a chance to talk (although he claims to run the class in seminar style). He is very condescending, and although he is an easy grader, he left us constantly confused - even after asking questions.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HON202
• 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:

I used to really enjoy Wheeler. Be careful what questions you ask, because he might think it's concerning that you're confused (even though you're confused because of his vague instructions), and pull you aside to tell you he thinks you have a learning disorder (offensively). Third time was NOT the charm, 10/10 will never take his class again.