James Goldstein - Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Professor: James Goldstein

Department: English

College: Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2200
• 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. Goldstein really values his subject, and that's clear just being in his classroom. He's not your typical teacher, but he definitely wants his students to succeed and grow a greater appreciation for literature. His expectations are very clear, attendance is mandatory, and he really encourages group work.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2207
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Highly recommend Professor Goldstein for literature! All the grades come from participation (discussing the text in class so there will be lots of reading) and 2 essays. As long as you do the readings and participate in class discussions, you should get a A no problem. He truly cares for his students and make himself very available for office hr

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGL3130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The class was very boring and the tests were pretty difficult. Overall, I think he is a nice guy and is willing to help his students.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2207
• 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 took this class in hopes for an easy A, but unfortunately it was not. He is an extremely tough grader on essays, and offers few assignments, so each grade is very important. Overall, I would avoid Goldstein if you want an easy and interesting literature class.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2207
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's really passionate about what he teaches and literature. He can be a little sassy and hard to get feedback from sometimes, but is generally okay. At least for my class, he went easy on the grading for the tests bc we were rushed, but then graded really harshly on the papers without much explanation.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2207
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Goldstein was one of my favorite professors last semester. Very funny and engaging. There are "daily exercises" ranging from 40-100 words due each class in response to the assigned readings. You'll do well if you show up to class and participate in discussions. When you're working on an essay, visit him in office hours. He's very helpful!!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2230
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Goldstein's class is not hard. It is, however, very labor intensive, in a way. He assigns homework every night and follows it up with a quiz every day. He can be friendly at times, but is mostly very condescending and somewhat of a perv, as he can sometimes come across when alluding to things that are entirely out in left field.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2230
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Worst English teacher I've had in a long time. The essay assignment itself was 8 pages while the paper only had to be 3. He'll tell you a million times how he's been teaching for 30 years, as if that's a reason why we should trust in his ability to teach. Do not take this class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2700
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very passionate professor, but be warned... not an easy A class. He takes his core classes very seriously, and you will have to do work. Harsh essay grader as well.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2230
• 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 a tough class. Goldstein provides a lot of busy work for his students. You will have homework due everyday for the class, but it is all pretty easy work and it helps you gain knowledge of the material. He is a very helpful professor because he truly cares about the material. He'll help you as much as he can if you go to this office hours.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2230
• 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:

He is such a cute little guy and he is very nice. He is a hard grader but as long as you do the daily hw and readings you'll do fine!! He is really helpful and understand about missing class. I have him now and love him!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2230
• 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:

Great professor! Lots of busy work (reading and a short response every night). But responses take 5 mins. Always a quiz at the beginning of class. If you actually do the reading, it's hard not to at least receive an B. Easily can make a A. He always goes over material in class, so you always understand what you're reading.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2207
• 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:

This class is pretty tough, but he is a good teacher and you can tell he really loves the subject. If you want an easy A, do not take this class. There is reading assigned for almost every class and the midterm and final are reasonably tough. He is a tough grader on papers (we only did two), but he will help you if you ask.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL4300
• 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:

Had this guy for Chaucer and for a grad seminar. He's great. Knows everything on his subject. Expects a lot but is helpful and very kind. Fun to listen to. Expect to do work, but try to stay interested. You will learn a lot. Go to his office hours and chat if you can, he's a great guy to get to know.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL4300
• 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 loved Dr. Goldstein! He was entertaining and informative and it was clear he loved the subject. Don't take one of his courses though if you don't expect to work hard. If you do the readings, come to class, and participate in class discussions, it's an easy A. I learned how to appreciate and understand literature better because of his class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGL3130
• 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:

Only take him if you care about learning. If you want an easy A then forget it. He's brilliant and enthusiastic. He's consistent and seems to enjoy teaching. For as serious as he seems at first, he actually likes joking around a little. Great class, taught me how to be a good student, but it's one of my only B's.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGL1127
• 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:

I'm a 2005 Auburn grad, and stumbled across this site just for fun. I'm a bit surprised by all of the negative comments on Dr. Goldstein. I had him for Honors Writing in 2000 (wow...over 10 years ago), but he was one of the best professors I had at Auburn. If you have a chance to take his class, do so. War Eagle!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2207
• 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:

I found his class easy and got high grades on all the assigments, but there is definately a right answer to everything. Fortunately, it's easy to pick up on. Go to class every day, stay on top of the reading, and participate once in a while and you'll do fine.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2200
• 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:

DON'T TAKE HIM!!! He grades papers based on his own high (think geosynchronous orbit) standards, which by the way he doesn't explain to you. Until you get your first essay back with an F. I've done well in all the other writing courses I've taken, yet I struggled greatly in this class. He expects you to spend too much time on this class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG4030
• 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:

He's way too harsh on grading essays, no matter how well written, or what you think you know, it seems that he can find a billion things wrong with it, and he won't hesitate to knock of about 50 points...and yes, his "rules for writing" are different from what I've learned in previous classes, and sadly, he doesn't instruct you on how HE wants it.