Irina Katz - Boston University, Boston, MA

Professor: Irina Katz

Department: Languages

College: Boston University, Boston, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: LR211
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Katz is a phenomenal instructor who really cares about every aspect of teaching Russian language. Yes, she makes you work for your grade, but you come away better for it. She is extremely intelligent and more than happy to talk about anything related (or not) to Russian. Show that you care enough to learn, and you'll do at least that!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: LR123
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

An amazing professor through and through. Cares about the students, and makes you work hard. Her classes are certainly for people who care about Russian language and literature. She has eyes in the back of her head - seriously, she knows when you aren''t paying attention - but her personality is sparkling.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: LR111
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Katz is great. This class is NOT EASY, but she's happy to help students and will do whatever she can to help your grade as long as you're putting in the effort. Also, she brings snacks to class after every test or quiz. Definitely one of my favorite professors ever. However, there is a lot of homework and a lot of memorization required.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: LR112
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's amazing! Brilliant teacher. Hard class but very interesting.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: LR111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I read her reviews before taking the class, and I can see where people are coming from Katz is an amazing teacher who really helps you understand the Russian language, wouldn't take it with anyone else. But she assigns a TON of homework (though it's not graded, just corrected) and there's a test every week, so be prepared to work for your GPA.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: LR111
• 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:

I loved Professor Katz. Yes, this class can be a lot of work, but it's definitely manageable. The material is all interesting and relevant and Katz is very passionate about getting students to connect with Russian culture. You really will learn a lot from her if you take the time to do the work. This is not a class to just take for credit!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: LR111LR112
• 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:

She is strict but I can assure you that you will learn effectively. She is a good professor, but this is not a class to just fill in credits. Homeworks are not graded, so that's good. If you want to learn russian you will, and there is a significant amount of work. But hey how do you expect to learn the language?

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: LR111
• 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:

She is absolutely my favorite professor. She loves to teach and she loves everything about Russian and her sarcastic side comments make my day. This class requires a lot of effort--don't think you're going to just magically learn Russian without working hard. She challenges you and that is what ultimately makes you better. Such a wonderful woman!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LR123
• 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:

Professor Katz is an amazing professor. Although she explains the material quickly, she's open to answering questions. She appreciates enthusiasm and students who are interested in the course. She notices genuine effort too; which she'll reward you when it comes to your final grade. She is also a lovely person: nice and interested in art and lit!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: LF111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She gives an unfair advantage to native speakers. For example, she runs her class by Socratic Method and when it takes a non-native speaker a bit longer to articulate his/her response she accuses him/her of not studying enough. She assigns 4 hours of homework a night. Meeting her for "help" is a waste. DO NOT TAKE HER CLASS!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: LR111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

She gives an unfair advantage to native speakers. For example, she runs her class by Socratic Method and when it takes a non-native speaker a bit longer to articulate his/her response she accuses him/her of not studying enough. She assigns 4 hours of homework a night. Meeting her for "help" is a waste. She is terrible. DO NOT TAKE HER CLASS!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: LR111
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Extremely helpful teacher. Always thrilled to answer questions and help students, very nice and accommodating. There's a lot of work, but it's not difficult and it really helps out for quizzes and tests.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: LR101
• 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:

Insanely difficult and requires a ton of work. That is a comment about the class tho. Int terms of her as a teacher, so moves very very fast but loves teaching russian so its fine. I wont get above a C but thats because who wants to put in 3 hours a night for one class EVERYNIGHT??

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: LR112
• 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:

Katz is a really great professor. There is homework assigned every night, but she's SUPER fair with her quizzez/exams. No surprises in this class. Just study a little and participate. She also LOVES extra credit. If you do some, your grade will skyrocket!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: LR112
• 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:

I need not add anything, it's all been said.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: LR111
• 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:

I think Prof. Katz is absolutey awesome, I've learned Russian so much quicker than I thought I would, and I wish I had her jewellery. But be prepared to work, she's almost psychic, and no matter how much you avert your gaze (or maybe because of it) she'll call on you.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: LR112
• 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:

She is a good professor but she definitely teaches more towards the students who have had some experience with Russian. If you want a good GPA DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LR111
• 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:

So, the class is hard, but then again, so is the language. That in mind, Prof. Katz is a really good teacher. Sure, there is a lot of homework, but only at the beginning (learning cyrillic is tough); eventually, it settles down. She's highly available and her office hours are a huge resource. If you're willing to work really hard, you'll do fine.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: LR111
• 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:

Unless you are a native or have significant experience from high school just DONT. I went to Russia during the summer and was really enthusiastic about learning and I took the class very seriously, still couldn't do it. H.W. is RIDICULOUS and Katz couldn't care less about you and is horribly impatient. Learn Ruskie on your own like me

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: LR111
• 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:

Horrible class. I suggest taking a different language unless you are Russian. Katz highly favors the students of Russian heritage over those of use looking to legitimately learn a new language. I dropped her class, I didn't have 4 hours a night to complete her tedious homework assignments. Don't say you weren't warned