Scott Gwara - University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Professor: Scott Gwara

Department: English

College: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENGL288
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He gives really in-depth lectures for the readings we do in class. He is very understanding when you dont do well on exam and let us redo it if we needed to. His lectures are important for understanding the meaning of the readings and taking notes on the lectures are necessary to pass his exams. The exams were straightforward and hes awesome!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL288
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Gwara analyzes and explains english lit. in a way that makes you appreciate it. He is brilliant. If you're an english major, I definitely suggest taking him. If not, there are easier professors, I'm sure. 3 tests, 1 paper. Take detailed notes and study for the tests. And make sure he knows your name. Speak up every once in a while.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG380
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Gwara is incredibly knowledgeable about the subjects he teaches, especially Old English literature. However, he's also very enthusiastic when someone brings up an idea or makes a point he hadn't thought of before. He's not shy about praising students and is just generally a very nice guy.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGL380
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Gwara is one of the best I've taken so far. His lectures are extremely interesting and easy to pay attention to. He teaches you to analyze the literature in a way you COULD NOT do on your own, so make sure you go to class. I highly recommend taking him; you'll learn a lot and he's a funny guy. Loved this class!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGL703
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Hwaet! This was one of the most rewarding classes I've ever taken. As others have pointed out, he is passionate about the material and actively publishes. He's incredibly accessible, down-to-earth, and makes fascinating connections in the text. Plus it's fun to hear him speak Old English :) Definitely take him if you get the chance.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL702
• 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:

Dr. Gwara knows more about Old English literature than anyone has a right mind to. His passion is contagious.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL380
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Gwara is a really interesting professor. He brings out small details from the literature that may seem trivial but he makes it important. You have to work hard in his class but if you read and pay attention its not too bad. He does require a lot from the papers he assigns so don't take him if you're looking for an easy A.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SCHC451
• 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:

Dr. Gwara is brilliant, very knowledgeable about his subject. He has high expectations but is very patient as long as you are giving your best effort. He cares very much that students take his class seriously. He is also very friendly and easy to talk to.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: SCHC451
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Highly recommend. 1st time the class was offered, but Dr. Gwara did a great job of covering a variety of medieval lit while keeping the course interesting. Attendance is required and grading is based on group presentations (actually fun), participation, and 1 exam (make sure you study). Remember, classes often change after 1st semester offered.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL380
• 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:

GREAT professor! He's very tough and serious about his class, but his lectures are great. Extensive analysis of the texts in lecture prepare you for the test. MUST attend lecture to pass. His lectures are very interesting and he's such a character!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL380
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's a very knowledgeable and well thought professor, but he takes his class very seriously. Only take this class if you are willing to do lots of reading and deliver 500 level papers. He does have a tendency to lose his temper from time to time, so if you do take him, and don't do your work, YOU WILL be mocked. But he does want you to succeed.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGL288
• 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:

Let's be honest. Bad reviews below = ppl who don't do well in his class, then vent. He is extraordinary. He was a British Marshall Scholar (almost same as the Rhodes Scholarship), and is extraordinary helpful. One of the best professors in the department. You will learn a lot, but you have to want to learn, otherwise it's no fun for both parties.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL288
• 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:

Somewhat eccentric and very intelligent. He knows what he's talking about. His lectures aren't hard to understand. 3 papers, 5 pages each, and he expects quality work. If you meet w/ him he's really nice and helpful. If you're an English major, take him! If you're just looking for an easy A so you can graduate, don't take him.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL380
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Gwara turned everything we read - even Beowulf - into something interesting! He is very willing to help you outside of class and if you do something dumb (tardy, miss an appt, use your cell phone), apologize to him and he's quick to forgive. Do the work, come prepared to discuss,take notes and pay attention! Not easy, but totally worth it!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CPLT380
• 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:

Gwara is brilliant, but rude. Don't be late, read all texts thoroughly and ahead of time, be polite, and you'll be okay. Show up late early in the semester, and you'll never live it down. Only take his class if you have patience with egotistical profs and are willing to work.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGL380
• 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:

Dr. Gwara is a challenging professor. However, he makes difficult material (ancient/medieval literature) remarkably interesting and accessible. Totally brilliant and expects you to step up the quality of your work to meet his expectations. Don't worry though, he is caring and genuinely wants every student to succeed. You'll learn a lot!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGL380
• 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:

Okay, I had this teacher in 2005/6? He was a good teacher- honest and informative. He also gave people opportunities to share what they got out of the texts. Some people thought he was elitist, but every time I talked to him out of class he was really nice and happy to answer questions. Its easy to judge people based on personal insecurities.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LING301
• 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:

Dr. Gwara is one of the smartest people I have ever met. The only complaint about him is that any academic person might be envious of his masters from Cambridge and a Phd from Yale. Just do what a student should do; read the course material and study for the test. He assigns roughly 20 pages a night in an easy book. This course is excellent!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL355
• 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:

Dr. Gwara is the best professor at USC - I imagine his bad reviews come from kids who don't care about learning. If you want an easy A and a prof. who doesn't care if you show up - take a different class - however, If you came to college to learn something - take his class - the reward is unbelievable his knowledge is unparalleled.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGL380
• 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:

When the class began, i thought the worst of Dr. Gwara. Now I know better. There is not a better educator at this university. The man knows what he is talking about, which is rare, and honestly cares. He demanded excellence-just be able to rise to his level. Cannot say enough good things about him.