David Birnbaum - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Professor: David Birnbaum

Department: Ethnic Studies

College: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HIST1030
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: No
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

His class about methods in digital humanities is a life lesson for me. If you major in social science, taking his class about DH will absolutely benefit you.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: LING1050
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Quite possibly the worst course I've ever taken. In one day, upwards of 7 assignments might be due. There is next to no teaching, causing me to consistently comb the web for any/all skills. Assignment instructions appear to have been put through google translate a number of times before being posted. Do not take this class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

this is not really a course on russian fairy tales like you might expect from the title. it's far closer to a psychology course that shows how psychological concepts can be applied in different fairy tales. poorly designed course, but birnbaum himself is pretty damn good. always clear on what he expects, what he's teaching, etc. bit odd though.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Whoever designed this course was only trying to boost his/her own ego to prove how difficult they can make a useless course. I am a senior at Pitt and found this course to be difficult for an elective. Save your energy on something you will potentially use in the future.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: RUSSOO9O
• 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:

I loved this course. Not only is this course about Russian Fairy Tales but also culture and an introduction to areas of study you will surely encounter later in college/life. If you're looking to be lazy and coast (as it seems most of you are from previous posts) then do yourself a favor and enroll in a course where you won't have to do any work.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• 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:

took russian fairy tales as an easy elective thought it would be, but he treated it like the students would go on to use it the rest of their lives, more of a psychology class than a literature class its okay if you're a psych major but wouldn't recommend for an elective, interesting class still and he grades generously to say the least

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: SLAV0090
• 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:

well-organized, a very good speaker, lots of reading but if you stay on top of it, it's not too bad, some of it kinda cool

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• 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:

Great course. Prof. Birnbaum is a fantastic lecturer. Reading is by no means overwhelming like other claim, especially compared to other lit classes. Tests are fairly difficult and recitation is too much of your grade, though. Some of the later concepts (feminism) are difficult to apply. The course pack is way too expensince. It's a fun course.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

real simple. Dont take this class! IT'S A GEN ED! Can that be said enough. Way too much reading (tough reading), the test-essay grades are arbitrary, and the recitations are useless. This guy is obviously brilliant, but he needs 2 teach his TA's 2be the same. Your graded on how many times U speak!(literally counted).I learned nothing in this class

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• 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:

I agree, this class is difficult if you do not read. However, if you keep up with the readings it is pretty easy to get at least a B. It is obvious when the quizzes are going to be, so read before them and you will do decently. Recitation is a large part of the grade, so you have to force yourself to talk, but its not too hard if you read.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

i agree that this class is WAY too hard for a gen ed. also the recitation is worth 20% of the grade which is most of the reason that i will be retaking this class. i went to every recitation but if you go and don't participate you get a 10% for that day.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

i agree that this class is WAY too hard for a gen ed. also the recitation is worth 20% of the grade which is most of the reason that i will be retaking this class. i went to every recitation but if you go and don't participate you get a 10% for that day.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof Birnbaum is a freakin' genius. Russian Fairy Tales is not a course for slackers--there's a lot of work and he expects you to keep up. This course is so interesting and you will learn so much if you open your self up to that possibility. Birnbaum rocks. Soo brilliant.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Recitations are obnoxious. The TAs count how many times you speak and base your grade against how many times other people speak (the people who speak the most get As, ect.) It's a constant competition between you and the people in your section. Tests aren't horrible, but there is a lot of reading.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

really hard class for a gen ed. the tests were ridiculously hard, and were the day after the superbowl and the first day back from spring break, so torture. a big part of your grade depends on participation in recitation, and you're graded based on the particiapation overall. so if you have one person who won't shut up, you'll be screwed. like me.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• 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:

Possibly the most intelligent man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Not only did I adore his class, but I was able to communicate with him after class and he was very helpful. This is not a class for people who have no interest in learning- save your time and dont waste an amazing opportunity for someone who will appreciate it.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0010
• 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:

Endlessly organzied and able to explain everything. Grading is fair and extremely quick. A very nice prof, as a veteran of over 20 foreign language classes I have to say he is one of the best. Knows how to teach and how to write a test. However, has a tendency to throw you in and see if you sink or swim. Don't be late to recitation!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• 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:

He's the most intelligent person I've ever encountered. I appreciate the class even more now that some time has passed.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0090
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He spoke very quickly, but provided notes on courseweb so you didn't have to worry about writing and listening at the same time. He was very, very interesting and pleasant. The class was very easy while not being insanely dull.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: RUSS0900
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Birnbaum speaks really fast, covers a lot of material, and analyzes every idea in a tale. He provides and posts his powerpoints in a timely fashion. He is able to vocalize his thoughts easily. Essays on the tests were a little difficult but managable. I had his class during the semester in which his wife passed away.