Matt Costello - San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Professor: Matt Costello

Department: English

College: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: RWS305
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I have never had a problem with my other professors in the way I write. He deducts points for almost anything. If you type something out instead of it being hand written he wont accept it. He gave me a 0 on my ROUGH DRAFT for not having a work cited. ITS ROUGH FOR A REASON. Overall would not recommend. Not understanding as well.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: RWS100
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a good teacher although he only talks about political issues. Class is the same routine everyday, you just answer questions based on the reading in the book. There are 4 essays, one being the final which is not open book. There's 4 10-point assignments and 4 pop quizzes. Participation does matter. I would take again!

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: RWS100
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

You need to buy a book that contains the readings and it costs $103. You have to actively read because he does occasional checks, you want to get on his good side since participation matters. Get involve in class. 3 essays and 1 for the final. Minimal homework. If you like to talk about politics, he is the one.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: RWS100
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Costello is one of the worst professors at state. The grading for his essays are very random as he seems to not know what he is talking about half the time. Random quizzes especially after breaks about reading he assigned. Do not take this class if you want a good grade if youre a weak writer you may actually do well.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: RWS100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Super easy class, just show up and put some effort into your work you will get an A. 4 very short papers and homework takes less than 10 min a night. occasionally very easy points pop quizzes. show up and read the one page article he gives and you will pass

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Straight forward class. You have to purchase an 80$ book that includes all the articles he makes you read and gives you a few quizzes to make sure you're reading the material. He also tends to grade harder in the beginning compared to the end of the semester. Takes attendance. He will definitely make you work on your essays to get a good grade.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very simple and straightforward class. You do the same thing everyday - read an article out of the course reader and then come to class and discuss it. He's pretty easy to talk to. He makes it clear he is liberal so if that bothers you then don't take his class. He is willing to hear counterarguments on some things though. Overall, not a bad class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I loved his class. You just read interesting, relevant articles from his course manual and go over it in class. Eventually, you do essays on each section but you have so much time and help to do your rough draft and even more time to do the final essay. He does do pop quizzes that are very specific on statistics in the reading. One of the best RWS.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I loved Costello. He gave a very enjoyable class and was very fair when it came to grading. His writing assignments are very specific which in turn makes it very possible to obtain all the points. If you ever need help, he will be there and assist you in anything you need. The daily readings he assigns are very short and doable.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Costello is very passionate about the topics he teaches. Sometimes, you just have to put your opinions aside and remain open-minded. He gives good feedback on essays and is very willing to work with you to reach your goals. After a certain number of absences, points are taken, so unfortunately, as unecessary as it is at times, show up.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Classes are pretty boring but you have to show up for the attendance grade. He is very closed minded so don't plan on writing a paper that is different than his opinion or he will grade it harder. The reading is really easy and can usually be done in class however there are occasional pop quizzes. Mess up a paper don't worry, you get one revision.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

he has an annoying laugh when he says something that might be offensive. a bit boring but the class isn't difficult.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Im an English major and I hated his course. The articles u read r so irrelevant and boring. Like cigarettes, food industry, vaccines. Theres potential for the topics to be interesting but he is very specific on what he wants in essays it feels like theres no point in writing essays. Kinda opinionated and annoying tries to be funny. Do not take him.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: RWS100
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He was so frustrating! His grading criteria on assignment handouts and the syllabus were very general and confusing; but his actual grading and comments were very critical on aspects never mentioned in class. He is VERY condescending making it difficult to approach him with concerns. Also has huge penalties for absences.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you are a conservative, do not take Costello's class. This guy is as liberal as it gets and he focuses his class assignments around topics that are very liberal. He can be very annoying with his lectures but he honestly grades the essays really easy if you cover all the topics. There are four pop quizzes. You can only miss 3 days of class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

costello was a pretty decent professor. you learn a lot about current issues in the country that are relevant. there are 4 random quizzes so make sure you do your reading. reading isn't that bad, usually 2 pages for hw and then a discussion in class about it. you can get a good grade if you actually pay attention

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Expect to better yourself and learn a little more too. Costello gives extra credit for being in greek life or just joining a club. He's pretty liberal and sometimes goes on rants. Pretty easy A if you try your best and do the assignments. Don't skip class too much or it will affect your grade eventually.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I used to love writing but Costello made me hate it. Sitting through his class listening to him complain about politics the entire time was miserable and so boring. If you write against his views you will not get the grade you like. He makes horrible jokes and laughs at them awkwardly, which gets on your nerves by the end. Avoid if you can

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Super straight-forward class. Assigns readings for hw, but they are little articles which could be read in 10 min. He gives pop quizzes on the readings so make sure to go to class. Three essays, all of which were interesting. Attendance is important as well. Overall an easy class and I would definitely take him again.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: RWS200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting topics in class. Keeps everyone engaged