James McKelly - Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Professor: James McKelly

Department: English

College: Auburn University, Auburn, AL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG2200
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great guy, really sweet, loves his job. His 2 tests are insane and he grades fairly harshly. Not an easy A

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You have quizzes on every reading and he lectures orally in pretty much every class. He values participation very much as the entire class is almost entirely discussion. If he likes your class he might cut one of the papers you have to write. His tests are kind of hard but he'll tell, and it's true, that everything on them is something he said.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2200
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Mckelly is a great teacher and a really nice guy. He is super smart and makes class interesting. His tests are difficult and are graded fairly harshly but he curves them. He is not an easy A by any means, but he is a pretty easy B. Go to class and participate and he will like you.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2200
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. McKelly is a great professor. He is so passionate about what he's teaching and cares that the students get more out of it than just a grade. If you are actively listening and writing down what he says in class (I recommend typing bc he moves pretty quick), he tells you what quotes will be on his midterm/final. All in all great class/professor

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG2200
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He was the best professor I had so far. He actually teaches philosophy out of the literature that will be helpful as you live your life. His lectures are amazing and teach you a lot. His test may seem difficult when you receive it (I thought I bombed the test), but when I receive my grade it was always A (he scales it)

Rating # 6

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

McKelly's lectures are never dull, which is good, because you have to pay EXTREMELY close attention to all details. Midterm and Final are tough due to the time limit. He also sometimes puts random unimportant quotes on those ? Overall, great lit professor who is very passionate about his job, not an easy class but worth it in my opinion

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2207
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Wonderful lectures, very difficult tests, be sure to highlight the quotes he goes over in class

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL4640
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. McKelly is brilliant and understands literature beyond my comprehension. Such a nice professor, too. However, this was my first upper-level lit class, so everything went over my head. Plus, William Faulkner was not my favorite author, so that made the class pretty unbearable. 2 exams, 1 paper (12 pages), and participation is all he grades. Hard

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENGL4420
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

McKelly is my favorite teacher at Auburn. If you are passionate about literature, his class is an absolute must. The negative reviews, I would imagine, largely come from those that don't do the reading. Yes, you have to do the reading to pass, and the class isn't easy. Don't let this deter you. McKelly will change how you read, English major or not

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. McKelly is a fantastic professor. While his class is NOT easy, he is a very fair grader. His lectures are also exciting and the class is participation-heavy. I will say he has a STRICT attendance policy, but missing his lectures isn't a good idea either. Write down EVERY quote from the text that he points out-it will be on the final.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG2200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Horrible professor. Just throws random quotes on the midterm and final and expects you to know them. Very hard final. Very annoying class. Attendance is mandatory.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG2200
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

GO TO CLASS. if you go, you will easily have the answers to all of the answers on the midterm and the final. he has 24 canvas quizzes and those are the hardest part to keep up with. you gotta remember to keep up with those. participate in class (its actually super easy). easy A or B if you do all of this

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2207
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

McKelly is a great professor and definitely knows what he's talking about. There are only 5 grades in the class, two of which are papers, but if he likes your class he will make things a lot easier (like throwing out a paper). He teaches very well, but if you have never taken an upper level lit class before it could be over your head.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2200
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I was dreading taking this class, but Dr. Mckelly was wonderful. The lectures were interesting, but be prepared to write everything down. Participation is huge. Stay on top of the reading and you will do fine on the quizzes. To study for his exams I just looked through my notes and the portions I highlighted in my book(s).

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2207
• 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:

McKelly cares about all his students. His tests are difficult. Be prepared to write quickly and you'll be fine. Go to class and take good notes. Read all the books, he gives daily quizzes. He is a really cool guy and will help you if you ask him. I'm not into english at all and i got an a in his class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2207
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

McKelly has an understanding of literature that is unbelievable. His lectures are entertaining and very interactive. Tests are difficult but he always scales. You have to do the reading to be successful, and making an A is very difficult, but possible. Would highly recommend if you are interested in literature.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Literature is an art form, and the beautiful thing about art is that it is always open for interpretation. All interpretations were force-fed to us through lecture, and only his interpretations were "correct". The closed-minded attitude of Mckelly was very offputting and has discouraged me from taking any more literature courses at Auburn.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENGL4220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

McKelly is awesome. He's not only crazy intelligent, but also passionate about literature. He is great to talk to and truly cares about students as individuals.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2207
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Don't expect to make an A if you aren't an English major. You won't have time to study for your other classes and his, since tests are 17 random quotes or phrases that you have to read the book twice to have a chance at knowing. For quizzes sparknotes is your friend. Also be prepared for lots of conservative-bashing, he has strong political views.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGL4530
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His syllabus is daunting but he doesn't follow it. "Weekly" discussion posts rarely occur. I missed class 3 times and still got an A. Final paper is long but he grades it easy. Never read a word of any of the books, he tells you exactly what passages he'll test you on in lectures. Tests are difficult and make hand hurt, but not impossible. Nice guy