Don Perkins - University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Professor: Don Perkins

Department: English

College: University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENGL376
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I think Don is a really good guy, he loves what he does and he is nice to everyone in class. Hes a cute old man but unfortunately , as much as i wanted to- i hated his class. We read 12 (painfully dry) lengthy novels almost everyone couldn't understand a word of what he said, boring and hard to sit through

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL102
• 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:

Expectations with Don were consistently unclear. His comments on essays were never constructive, they just indicated that he didn't like your essay. He also assigns a lot more books than other English 102 sections, so be prepared to read. However, I did like the peer review classes. It helped to have someone read my essay before I handed it in.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG102
• 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:

I found Don to be unclear with his expectations/criteria with essays. You would hand in an essay with confidence, just to find out you wrote on something that he wasn't satisfied with. His feedback on essays are not constructive, he just points out there is a problem, with no direction on how to fix them.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: WRITE298
• Grade Received: Audit/No Grade
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I did not enjoy this class. Don clearly knows some stuff, but he is not clear about what he expects from students. He has no clear grading criteria and his marks seek haphazard. If he spent less time telling the same joke for the fourth time and more time explaining assignments, this might be a good class. Wouldn't recommend.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: WRITE298
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great guy. Laid back, sincere, best sort of instructor for an exploration into out-of -the-box methods for writing. Encouraged lots of different types of writing, gave time for lots of guided in-class writing exercises, and gave great advice. Would take this class again, and with a small spring class it was fun to peer edit.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL126
• 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. Perkins is an exemplary instructor here at the U of A effective, engaging, and always pushing his students to achieve more! Between the unique reading list (where else will you study "The Hunger Games" and "The Walking Dead" in university?) and the fantastic lectures, this was hands-down my favourite class this semester. Highly recommended!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL380
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's really knowledgeable about Aboriginal History and how it relates to local literature. There was a LOT of reading, but they were all interesting. Guest lectures when he can arrange them, no midterm. Asks extremely open ended questions, but he is extremely willing to meet with you and help you with the essays. I would take his course again.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL385
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Don is amazing, this didn't even feel like taking a class. We did a lot of group discussion but it really helped when writing papers. Easy marks for the group assignment and the final essay is whatever you want. I would highly recommend.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENGL377
• 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:

I absolutely love Don. One of the best English teachers I have ever had. He is open to all ideas and creates a classroom environment conducive to learning and sharing your opinion. Take his class right now!!!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL126
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Though the class content surprised me (you will discuss and write on Twilight. Yes, that Twilight) he turns the concept of popular culture into something to be analysed, understood, and better appreciated. Gives great feedback on your essays. If you are a good writer this is an easy A. If not, it will serve to improve your skills! Engaging prof.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL126
• 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:

Dr. Perkins was actually pretty cool! He was really understanding when I had to turn in my english paper 2 days late, and he marked SO EASILY!! I am NOT an english student and I got an A in the class. Not the most exciting, but definitely recommended! GPA booster!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: WRITE298
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don is a fantastic instructor. He is an amazing writer, and if one is willing to pick his brain, one will learn A LOT! Don has challenging yet fun and useful activities; I know I learned a ton from Don's class - it was one of my favourite classes ever.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL377
• 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:

Don knows his stuff. That is about the only thing you can say. He knows each play in and out and the majority of the time, the playwright themselves! He is MORE than willing to allow you to prove yourself through your writing, as well. Also, he endorses creativity and works to understand your writing style, something hard to find in English profs!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG125
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you are taking the TYP program, try to get him in the first semester so your harder second semester is that much easier. After taking his class every other English class feels easy. I found the aboriginals that grew up on rez did not like him and the ones that grew up in the city did.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Sometimes I was a little unsure of where he was going with his lectures. He didn't clearly define and explain each important concept but I guess you are kind of supposed to learn for yourself? He marks the creative project easy, and the research paper hard. Our final was an essay exam, and the topics were fair. Too much reading. 70+ pages per day

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG210
• 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:

I found him to be very intimidating,over-confident and quite chauvanistic! He pick favorite's in class, and if there is hardly ever a class discussion because his lectues are overtly confusing. I dont recommend him IF u are going into this class wanting a decent mark because he makes u work hard for it. BTW, IT DOES NOT HELP TO HAVE 10BOOKS to read

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG125
• 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:

Loved his class and his vibrant enthusiasm. It is easy to see he has a true passion for his work. He cares for his students and makes learning your name a priority. Had a smile on his face every morning, great class to have first thing in the am.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENGL384
• 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 was scared of this class because of the rating I saw on here but I actually really enjoyed his class. I guess everyone is different. He makes class really interesting and, like most profs, is more than willing to help you succeed if you put in an actual effort.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG210
• 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:

He is very entertaining and helpful, but sometimes he's hard to understand in class. He always clarifies through email though if you contact him. Creative project is a nice change too.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGL210
• 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 took this class a while back, but I see that he's teaching it again, so I'm going to comment. His class was great, and he was so-laid back, interesting, and funny. We got to do a creative project as one of our course requirements. Even though it was a theory class, it was fairly light on theory and more about literature. Not pretentious.