Gerald Van Aken - Stevenson University, Stevenson, MD

Professor: Gerald Van Aken

Department: English

College: Stevenson University, Stevenson, MD

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Yes, he is a tough grader but with that being said, he is an excellent professor. You need to work hard to earn an A in his class. He offers many resources to his students in order to get that A. His lectures are very helpful and he will go the extra mile to clarify something for you if you're lost/confused. I would take him again.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG151
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Van Aken isn't horrible but, his class is definitely not easy. Homework assignments every class and he gives 3 essays for you to write. He grades harshly and it isn't easy to get an A in that class. It felt like nothing was ever good enough for him. Participation is a big part of your grade so you have to show up to class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG151
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

There's homework each class, but they are super easy. Only 3 essays all year and when he has conferences he can really tell you what to fix about your essay. Does grade on participation, if you're not in class you'll get a zero for the day.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG152
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very intimidating at first, but he really does want his students to show improvement and put forth the effort. He does helpful in class workshops that help a lot when it comes to writing his papers, and he always offers office hours if you need extra help. Participation is definitely important too. No textbooks needed, just required readings.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG152
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Grading is very confusing don't take unless this is your LAST option.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG152
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

ATTEND EVERY CLASS

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG381
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of my favorite profs. Really gets into the material and makes you think. Hard to get an A on a paper, but he's helpful and will guide you. Ask questions and show him you care - I technically only earned an A-, but he gave me an A as my final grade.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG152
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I do not recommend taking this class. He expects all student to be at a doctorate-level when it comes to writing papers and is the harshest grader I've ever dealt with. You'll stay up all night perfecting a paper only to get a C on it.. You are allowed 2 absences and participation is a huge part of your grade. If you're quiet, don't take the class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Gives participation grades. Not a horrible teacher, is always flexible with office hours. Great guy.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 381
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He makes it abundantly clear that all it takes is an e-mail to set up a time with him to really hash out your ideas for a paper. Of course he's not going to write it for you. The class is totally discussion BASED ON THE READING. If you're an English major (which you would be to be in a 381 Lit) then this should come at no surprise. Good prof!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

unreasonably hard grader. avoid taking his classes by all means. extremely talkative, boring, non-engaging class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH281
• 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:

He is a nice guy but awful teacher when it comes to papers. We have had two essays all semester, one I am currently working on and it took him three weeks to hand back our first essay. He does not allow you to do rough drafts and he is a VERY hard grader. Do not suggest taking his classes

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I did not enjoy this class nor the professor. He tells you that the textbook is for graduate students and you will have a really hard time understanding it. He also likes to ask questions that we obviously didnt know the answers to, just to make himself look smarter than us. Very immature and graded very hard even on rough drafts. Do not recommend.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG251
• 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:

Very hard grader but great teacher of a rather fry topic. If you read out loud and go to class and write a half way decent paper there's no way you would get less than a B-

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL352
• 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:

Yes, it's difficult to get an A in his class, but he cares about his students and really knows his stuff! I took him three times while at VJC - he made me a better writer, without a doubt!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor claimed girlfriend and I had written "similar" conceptual papers. Although professor offered to let us rewrite the papers, he still failed both of us :-( Not very Trustworthy! He also favors students that write papers in agreement with his opinions.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Horrible Teacher - selects boring material, classes are extremely poorly planned and provides biased and useless feedback. Avoid at all costs

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG360
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Okay teacher. Very nice and cares about how students are doing. He is, however, a hard grader, takes forever to give back papers, and bases much of your grade on participation. I didn't hate the class, but I didn't love it either.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG243
• 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:

I had to take this History of british lit and wasn't sure it would be any good. Mr. VanAken was Great! He wasn't easy but I really learned alot. I also enjoyed seeing him in class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He definately knows what he is talking about. However, he grades hard and takes a long time to hand back papers. If you are good at English and participate often, he is a great teacher for you.