Jeff Kaplan - San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Professor: Jeff Kaplan

Department: Linguistics

College: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: LING430
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I love this guy but this class is hard. I went every day, took thorough notes, and I still left every test feeling defeated. He often contradicts the book, which is frustrating to buy the book and then feel like you can't use it as a resource. Pay attention and ask questions- he appreciates participation and takes it into consideration come grades.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: LING430
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I thought this class was going to be impossible to pass but Professor Kaplan was a really great teacher. If you go to class and take notes and actually try there is no way you can't pass, he is really passionate about seeing his students succeed and I think that was one of the reasons I enjoyed his class so much.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: LING696
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Pragmatics was proably one of the best classes I've taken from Dr. Kaplan. He really knows the subject, he's really into it, and loves linking it with other areas like law! Don't skip class, you won't be able to follow the reading, but he's great at office hours if you need more help!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: LING101
• 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:

Dr. Kaplan is very knowledgable but I think that sometimes he has trouble expressing and making clear what he knows. His grading is often without remarks so you never know what you got wrong and he moves really quickly if you aren't into Linguistics or aren't understanding. If you are interested in Linguistics you will learn a lot from him!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: LING530
• 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: Not Mandatory

Comment:

I love his classes. I've taken 2 with him so far. He tries to engage everyone in class and won't move on if people don't get it. Class is based on the reading you're assigned so if you read beforehand you're well-prepared. If not you may struggle. His tests are challenging but class discussion and hw prepares you. Super cool dude.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: LING530
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really liked his class. His not a boring lecturer who mumbles in front of the class all by himself. Instead, he discussses about the topic with the class. And he really knows about the English language! If you enjoy grammar, you enjoy him and this class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: LING530
• 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:

Kaplan is easy once you understand his expectations. Come to class prepared to answer questions on the readings as he does not lecture but guides students through tough material by asking them questions. He calls it like it is. If you're wrong, or if he's wrong, he'll point it out. There is no favoritism here. Do A work and you'll get an A.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: LING530
• 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:

Hmm... fair grader but smart professor. In this class: daily homeworks & 3 exams (2 regular, 1 final). Each homeworks are clues for the exams. This class explains "all" the grammars(noun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, coordination, subordination, etc). Read the textbook or you'll have problems with his teaching style & homeworks! Good luck!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LING530
• 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:

He is seriously the best. The class is like a conversation between him and the class. He calls on you and expects you to at least try to answer. He is an expert in his field and wants you to understand. Attendance not mandatory but you will miss good info if you skip. Fair grader. Tests are hard but if you study you'll do fine. Highly recommend him

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: LING101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very unclear with his notes. Not organized at all. It can be much more easier and he makes it difficult. Nice person but not a good professor.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: LING420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If you want to learn on your own. Take this class! He is very unorganized with his notes. He's not specific on what he is lecturing, he just goes into examples. When you ask him a question, he's sarcastic about it or gives you a "smart" answer. The material could of been lectured a lot easier, but he makes it complicated!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: LING420
• 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:

I really enjoyed this class. It opened my eyes to a science I knew nothing about. Kaplan really knows and loves Ling. He uses his own book. I won't say the class is easy, because it's not. Some people got it and others struggled. His tests are hard, but doable- must study. I would definetely take him again, and hope to do so.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: LING501
• 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 love Kaplan. He's funny, kind, and he knows his stuff. He tells it like it is, which I like. If he asks a question and you answer it incorrectly, he will say,"That was a fascinating answer, but you're wrong." I like that he doesn't sugar coat things. I think he's a great teacher. Just show up and study hard, and you will do well.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: LING420
• 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:

DO NOT TAKE or plan to teach urself. (1)He disguises rude comments towards students as sarcasm. (2)He refuses to give a study guide, or to answer questions regarding what will be, or what will not be on the test. (4)Your grade is based on tests only. (5)Attendance is recommended, but you get no points for it. (6) He can't answer specific questions.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: LING420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

he warns you the moment you step in the door that the class is DIFFICULT.... he has an okay attitude but overall is lazy when in comes to his teaching methods, there is nothing that can help your grade if you screw up on a test. There are 3 tests, no hw, no extra credit and if you fall behind you will get screwed on the tests. wouldn't recommend

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: LING420
• 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:

He is a good teacher that encourages participation and questions. If you do not ask for clarification he will move on to another topic. Ask questions, go to class, and read the sections that he requests. Hard topics, but you will have a very knowledgeable guy to guide you through.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: LING430
• 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:

Very passionate about Linguistics - very knowledgeable. Unfortunately, he can't teach. I always had the feeling that he was trying to fail as many people as possible. If you are a Linguistics major it's fine - but a detriment to anyone else. He is the only one teaching this class so regardless of what your GPA is - count on bringing it down.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LING420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He knows his material but belittles you for not knowing. He just dives in and gets lost in his Ling world and if you can?t follow that?s just too bad. His penmanship is awful making note taking very difficult.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: LING420
• 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:

Kaplan seems to know a lot about Linguistics but does not know how to turn that into a lesson on Linguistics. This class was a requirement for my major and would never take it otherwise. I studied hard-ish and got a D. Pretty disappointed but will retake with a different teacher. Kaplan only grades 3 tests. No other points. Score well or FAIL.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: LING420
• 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:

Took Ling 420 and 430 with Prof.Kaplan. If you study what you learn from every session and go to the class, you will be fine. Prof.Kaplan is an extreamly smart, you will learn a lot of things about Ling. I'm not a native speaker, but I got an A-. This is not difficult class if you study and preapre well!However, you wouldn't pass without studying!