Joan Peters - University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

Professor: Joan Peters

Department: English

College: University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG430
• 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:

Originally I had enjoyed this class but as it continued it became a massive pain. Dual professors made the class very difficult in terms of grading because they would constantly contradict one another's criteria. If you are given the option to chose another class for credit, choose the other class. This one is not worth it at all.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Her syllabus is extremely difficult to follow - when she said to turn something in online, she expected a hard copy too. I thought the point of that was to save trees? I guess not. Because of this, you loose points. Not to mention she'll downright tell you you're wrong. I dropped the class right away.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

As nice of a person as she is, she is a very hard and particular professor. She's friendly and willing to offer help, but her help is sadly just confusing. If you try your best and attend class, you can probably do well, but it's a lot more effort and struggle than it's worth honestly. 60% of your grade is one paper, and there is a LOT of reading.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Expects graduate level analysis from students who may have never read a Lawrence novel in their life. Only accepts her own interpretation of the novels, and will tell you that you are wrong until you give her a thesis that falls in line with her ideas. Unclear. Contradicts herself. Never satisfied. Avoid her like the plague.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

If she ever offers a DH Lawrence class, avoid it at all costs. Very knowledgeable, but awful at teaching. Expects students to analyze Lawrence with the kind of insight that she's gained from decades of studying Lawrence. Final paper- 60% of grade! Did not structure the class to give the students the tools to analyze in the way expects.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Just a heads up, D.H. Lawrence's novels are really long. Expect to be reading about 100-200 pages for every class. She's willing to help but unclear when she does. Two really hard papers and a final. The 2nd 10-pg paper is 60% of your grade and is due a week before the final. If you don't want a C, take another single author course. Daily quizzes.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG440
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Honestly, listen to the other negative reviewers. I thought her low ratings were due to her being challenging in a good way, but I was wrong. She's looking for one specific answer and will poll a silent classroom until she gets it. Plus, she's unclear. Papers are a combination of guess work and parroting her lectures vs. actual critical thinking.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG433
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: N/A
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

She's very knowledgable but she thinks there's only one right answer to any question she asks and unwilling to listen to other interpretations/perspectives. She's less scary and more approachable than she seems. Use her office hours A LOT if you want a good grade, and make sure to use what she says in class discussions to write your papers.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG360
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She's a nice person but her class can be a bit confusing. There were essay tests throughout the semester which were rather difficult because not only is she a very tough grader, but she doesn't really make clear what she expects you to write. Her class was interesting enough, but a bit frustrating due to the confusion.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG351
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Unclear, unhelpful, and unwilling to consider any ideas that contradict her own, Joan Peters is the perfect example of why teachers at public universities should not be tenured.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG100
• 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:

Wasnt a very good teacher. If you dont agree with her opinion, then you're automatically wrong. I was actually yelled at in class because i wrote what i thought about an issue, and not what she thought. Maybe she would be ok for an upper level English class, but never for eng 100

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG350
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Like others have said; she is extremely set in her ways, talks in circles never clearly stating her point, doesn't make her expectations clear, and expects you to just regurgitate everything she says. If you are a offended by blatant feminism, don't take her class. These are my opinions, AND I DID WELL. I saw countless others struggle.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG360
• 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:

her class was a challenge and a joy- for those actually seeking an education her classes are an absolute must!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Okay I am going to be completely honest. I am not the smartest person in the world when it comes to school but this woman made my entire english experience the best it has or will ever be. I learned so much from her this semester. She is truly a brilliant and understanding woman. I have never had a better teacher. TAKE HER CLASS. She is amazing :)

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

There's a reason why her classes only contain a handful of students. She uses the same text for most of her classes, leading her to think she's mastered them, making her VERY set in her views. Don't take her class unless you're willing to regurgitate everything she says into your papers-that's what she wants (and the only way to get an "A").

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is very difficult to understand. Unless her class is a mentored class, do not take her. Without a mentor explain to you want she means.. Its very difficult to understand what is expected of you.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGLI100
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She constantly calls on ppl to read out there papers & critiques our paper in front of the whole class. It can be pretty intimidating & there's A LOT of work, but if you get help & ask for her input you'll for sure get a good grade. Just be careful because you'll get called on a lot, so if you're a timid person, i suggest you not take this class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG250
• 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:

Joan is a wonderful teacher. She expects a lot because she believes in her students. It is because of her I learned how to appreciate and read literature. Her classes prepared me for graduate school.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG350
• 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:

I don't know why, exactly, but I absolutely adore this woman. I definitely understand the negative criticism on this site, though. She's a feminist and a narratologist. As mentioned, it WILL be difficult for creative thinkers to read novels the way she expects you to. Check out some Bahktin and Kristeva to understand where she's coming from.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG334
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She's hardcore! Her in-class essays are CRAZY! Beware!