David Biespiel - Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Professor: David Biespiel

Department: English

College: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This class is fairly easy but quite a bit of busy work. Most of the assignments that are assigned, are discussed the next class. He does have a giant ego but other than that he's likeable and definitely offers new perspectives on poetry.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG241
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

One of the most unique professors i had at Oregon State. DON'T TAKE HIS CLASSES if you think poetry is easy, simple, etc. You need to be excited or at least curious to enjoy David's classes. Skip ENG 106 (its purely analysis) and take WR 241 and then 341 - this is how you find out if poetry is for you.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG106
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class is absolutely ridiculous. David has an enormous ego and thinks he knows everything about poetry. If students fail to follow his poorly formatted instructions, he belittles them. There are also a few large projects that are assigned with not a lot of time for thorough completion. He also doesn't allow any absences.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: WR240
• 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:

Some people enjoy his humor, but for me, it got old very quickly. Tends to wax philosophic and talk more about the *feel* of poetry, and doesn't go into detail about poetry styles or how syntax can add meaning. If you want a class with less structure (and nothing posted on Canvas), go for it, but he's definitely an acquired taste.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG106
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easy A as long as you show up attendance is 50 percent of your grade. Talking points he assigns seem long and hard but as long as you turn in something you will get a 100 percent. Super easy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG106
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Super simple bacc core. Wasn't to really thrilled by his teaching style (make sure not to make eye contact with him, because he will pick you to explain a poem). But overall it was a informative class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Definitely recommend taking this for bacc core. Super easy; most of grade depends on simply showing up to class. He gives small assignments once or twice a week that are graded on completion. Also have to do a small final project. Actually makes poetry interesting and brings a cool perspective to life in general.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: WR241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This was definitely NOT my favorite class. I wouldn't say that I hate writing poems, but we had a new one assigned every time we met and each was a minimum 30 lines - one was 80. Final project was making a book of 10 of our poems. No syllabus = don't know where you stand. I got an A, but I went to every class and worked my butt off.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is an amazing teacher and a talented poet. I recommend everyone take this class as well as buys one of his books.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: WR240
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Loved this professor for poetry class. Hilarious and makes class entertaining. Doesn't expect too much in poems as he knows students are novices. No textbook required. Usually asked for a poem every class period. Attendance mandatory as that is most of what you are really graded on. Effort counts. I recommend this class for writing II requirement.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Do not take a class from this professor! He has a huge ego and thinks he knows everything. He is constantly boasting about how he knows all these famous poets which he thinks makes him pretty cool. On the midterm and final he grades extremely hard and there is no way to study for them. Do not take a class from this professor you will regret it!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I loved this class! Attendance is mandatory but every day was something new and interesting. This was one of the only classes I really enjoyed going to. I left this class with a new outlook on life. There are only 2 written tests, but he grades very easy. To enjoy this class you really must enjoy poetry.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He doesn't reply to your emails! No syllabus. He will call on you whether you like it or not. He changes the dates all the time for things that are due, which confuses you. There's no textbook, just print the material he tells you to. Tests are 2 questions. 1 project, and 1 extra credit. Class is boring, but you have to go.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: WR222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He didn't give us a syllabus so we were lost in his class 2/3 of the time. If you didn't show up for class you were pretty much done for in what your suppose to do. He gave us 1 big paper to work on for the entire term and 1 grade. It was scary but if you follow is processes you should be fine.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: POETRY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Fun class! He is very laid back and gives easy assignments.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG101
• 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:

Biespiel's teaching is inspiring. He really knows what he's talking about. Will take your thoughts about literature to another level.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Terrible teacher

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very boring class if you are taking it for BACC Core. Have to go due to mandatory attendance, and lectures get dragged out. The test are all based on lecture notes, so make sure you take good notes. Test aren't that hard, just a very boring class in my opinion.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG106
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is pretty chill and tells you pretty much everything you should know for his 4 mulitple choice tests. It is very important to show up to class since he will raise your grade one tier for perfect attendence. He usually has interesting discussions and makes things easy to understand.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG104
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Biespiel is probably one of the most layed back and awsome english teachers I have ever had. He doesn't expect you to do much just show up and try. He makes the exams based on class material and topics. If you can take him. He rocks!