Theodore Mason - Kenyon College, Gambier, OH

Professor: Theodore Mason

Department: English

College: Kenyon College, Gambier, OH

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG110
• 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:

One of my favorite English professors at Kenyon. Professor Mason taught my intro class freshman year, and I even though I had a full schedule, I audited a class with him my junior year just to hear him lecture. He really pushes you to produce your best work.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: INDS15O
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Note: I had Professor Mason for Doing the Work (DTW) (P/F); however, I also took a summer writing seminar with him (A-), and as a math person it was great. He's a good speaker/lecturer, and has many entertaining and educational anecdotes. DTW helped me get organized, and you don't need to read all the books to pass. (Note: DTW is easy pass)

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGL104
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The academic side is quite strong; class discussion was lacking, which was unfortunate for being a seminar of 12 students. Some of the essay topics didn't seem to make much sense. That said he is incredibly knowledgeable, caring, and inquisitive, even though at times he may seem more serious and closed off.

Rating # 4

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Get ready to work and push yourself. Just sitting in his class, professor mason cut me down, however, he also instilled in me a really amazing hard work ethic. You're going to have to put EVERYTHING into his course, but you'll get so much out of it. It sealed the deal on my english major. He's also super helpful and nice during office hours

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: USAFICTION
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Mason may be one of the best English professors at Kenyon. If you're into English, you will love his lectures. Each lecture is masterfully crafted. He is also easy to reach and typically very helpful. Make sure youre willing to put the effort in- you'll have to give it your all to get a good grade.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: 103213391384
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Mason is my favorite professor at Kenyon. Really reinforced my interest in the English major on the first day of freshman year. Creates discipline in your writing. Don't recommend for non-majors as he's demanding. Writing for any other professor will feel scary easy after you've written for him. If you get an A, you earned it. Trust his insight.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL199
• 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:

Professor Mason is very smart, but conceded. He expects nothing but the best from his students. And, I found him sometimes to discredit my ideas simply because I did not word them how he wanted, but he would present the same idea I had later in the class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL384
• 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:

Very intelligent but loves the sound of his own voice and leaves little room for intelligent participation. Very hard grader.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENGL101
• 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:

Professor Mason is a great guy, but demands intelligence. He cut my writing down to size and, while he occasionally made me feel dumb, definitely improved it. He is absurdly intelligent. Your skill with texts will grow immensely. A wonderful professor on the whole, but expects his to be your only class. Take only if you want a challenge.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: MANY281
• 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:

Best professor at Kenyon. Scarily intelligent but really cares and has late office hours to accommodate his students' needs. I've taken many classes with him and they just keep getting better and better. He's really challenging and you have to work hard, but in the end it's so worth it- you notice a change in your writing and thinking. Take him!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL281
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He is very smart. He expects A LOT from his students. Sticking to the required assignments is doable, but he expects students to take notes outside of class. He took out class time to explain how to take notes and write papers. He is very helpful. Can talk to him in his office or send him an email. He challenges you to be better.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Loves the sound of his own voice. Incredibly smart, and your clarity will improve as a matter of necessity. Flakey, thinks he is God's Gift to Kenyon and the Dept. He isn't. Numerous classes passed where we never opened a book. Interested more in critical discourse that producing your own knowledge. More than that you will reproduce and synthesize.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL288
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Crazy smart, very challenging. To quote the man himself: "Doing well in this class isn't a question of being smart. You're all smart. You're here. It's about discipline in your work and in your thinking."

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL378
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher, your writing will improve, so too the clarity of your thoughts about a subject. He spends a bit too much time talking about grad. school, but that - I imagine - could also prove useful for seniors. Great guy - if he respects you, you've accomplished something worthwhile.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Take a class from him. He can be intimidating/cocky, but he's super smart and I learned a lot from him.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: INTROAFAMLIT
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Thinks he is the smartest man alive. Likes your work to mimic his. I know of more than a few students who dropped Kenyon English permanently after his class.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGL388
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Best English prof at Kenyon!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Grudgingly took his class first semester Freshman year. My academic experience has been downhill ever since, especially in English. A wonderfully erudite guy. He's what I EXPECTED my college professors to be like. Not for the intellectually incurious. Get your money's worth for once by God.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: AAAS388
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

if i could major in Mason i would. best professor at kenyon. his classes will bring you and your writing to a completely different level.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Bad about keeping office hours. Scary smart. No warm fuzzies, but if you earn his encouragement, it means something.