Bill Kirchner - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Professor: Bill Kirchner

Department: English

College: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: FP0003
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Okay, he's a nice guy but is so sarcastic and gives a lot of attitude. If you don't go to class, he will talk about you to the rest of the class. He has no problem telling you how bad your essay is. He only assigns 3 essays, and the final "exam" is a portfolio of all of your essays reedited which is cool, but he seems too laid back to be a prof.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FP003
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Not a huge fan. The essays he assigned were weird and super ambiguously worded, and sometimes he got moody in class. His feedback isn't always helpful, either. Not a bad professor but not a great one either.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGWR520
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

After taking other Pitt writing classes/professors, Bill's by far the most helpful. Actually reads your writing, gives good mix of critical and encouraging feedback. Seems to care/want you to get better. Picks good readings. Gives interesting fiction/creative writing exercises. Show up, speak up, and be willing to experiment. Funny and accessible.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGCMP0200
• 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:

Very opinionated. Very critical. Participation makes up a substantial amount of your grade; just a heads up if you are on the shy side or tend to not volunteer in class. Make sure you pay attention in class and do the readings. Randomly calls on students. Harsh grader.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGCMP0200
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

As expected, writing courses in college are much harder than in high school and you definitely have to apply a different way of thinking. Bill is willing to help you if you go to his office hours, but I think he grades way too tough compared to the other seminar in comp professors. In class participation is essential.

Rating # 6

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Not very nice. Made kids feel uncomfortable. Also extremely egotistical and I found it was his way or the highway the entire semester. Seemed to welcome discussion but would only force his own opinions and ideas. Basically would just keep saying "do you understand now" until you just gave up. Would not take.

Rating # 7

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Bill is an awesome guy if you get to know him. Gives tremendous feedback for your papers if you go and talk to him. Overall, the class is a lot of reading but the pieces are pretty interesting. Classes are good if you like to participate as the it is a discussion based class.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FP0003
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I was not a huge fan of Dr. Kirchner's. Discussions often got sidetracked into whatever area students brought up and were unfocused. He responded with his own opinion to almost everything students said, leaving little room for their points. He thus did not facilitate discussions especially well. I found scattered range of assignment types daunting.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FP0003
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Can come off as intimidating in class discussions, but you get used to it. The class was actually pretty interesting and he graded our papers fairly. As long as you do the work you should be fine.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SEMINARINCOMP
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

It's a discussion-based class w/an informal and casual atmosphere , but he expects you to take the material seriously. Sometimes it's hard for freshman to handle those contrasting things simultaneously, but I thought it was a refreshing step up from high school. Gives excellent feedback on writing, especially if you meet outside of class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SEMINARINCOMP
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

at first he seems arrogant and condescending but he lightens up and is an alright guy. he doesnt have much tolerance for differing opinions which can be annoying. overall not a bad class, just come prepared and ready to participate. if you participate right off the bat he'll like you.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FP003
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He can be pretty cool sometimes, and for this class he did really know what he was talking about, but he's very opinionated and made me feel uncomfortable sharing what I thought and that's a significant part of your grade for this class. He has very low tolerance for disagreement, talking, nonattendance, and texting.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGLI0315
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He was a pretty nice guy, discussions in class depend on the class. If people say interesting things, its gonna be a cooler class. If people don't talk, it can be kinda painful. He wouldn't tell you about your grades, called it a "freshman question." But I think he's reasonable with grading, more focused on your learning.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FP0006
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE HIM UNLESS YOU'RE REALLY INTO ROCK AND ROLL. Yes, it's interesting & he's a nice guy, but his grading is so subjective. It's all on favoritism, and if you aren't familiar with the material before you even take the course he won't like you. I regret taking him. I've always been an A grade writer and it's dropped because I don't know rock

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FP0003
• 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:

rock n roll as literature was a very interesting class. hes a tough teacher, but its easy to get into the material. he seems like a cool dude (and he knows he does.) hes also very intelligent, and will help your writing ability tremendously. take his class

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: FP003
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is one of the most interesting professors I have ever had. He is very intelligent and if you participate in class, he will love you. One of the best classes I have ever taken (Rock n' Roll as Literature). He is hard on his students but it is only to better you when it comes to explaining your ideas.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FP0003
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Rock and Roll literature so an intersting subject. Mostly reading and in-class discussion. Only 3 essays and a journal. Not really any personal help wiht your writing. But Bill is tough, intimidating, and pompous. Grades essays really hard. Well, he's an ass (and a badass). Get on his good side. Don't know if I'd recommend him or not...

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: FSCSECT
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of my favorite classes, unique subject (rock'n'roll as lit) and taught very well. Interesting readings (be sure to read them, as he wants people to be involved). The papers weren't too hard if you put in a little effort but they were always interesting. If you show you care and work a little he'll notice, that goes a long way. Great guy.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

dude is the poo

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: WINCOMP
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Guy is bad assed. He's good to you if you try and he will talk with you after class about what ever. The assighnments were interesting and so was the stuff we read. Definatly take this class and get to know this man.