John Petruccione - The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC

Professor: John Petruccione

Department: Languages

College: The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: LAT103
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

He's really, really tough, but totally fair. Do the work, come to class, show him you're trying. I had to take this class twice because I failed the first time with a different teacher, but I was able to get through it much better under his tutelage.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: GRAD600
• 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:

Survey of Roman lit for MA candidates. I took it a few years ago. He had us read 100 pages of Latin a day, screamed at us, belittled us, and when I went to ask for help, informed me that he wished the class was for PhD students. I worked 50 hrs a week on homework, and had never gotten a bad grade in Latin before. After him, I switched programs.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GRK576
• 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:

This was the most enjoyable class I have taken at CUA. The professor was more at ease with only three graduate students--still demanding and strict in his grading, but fair and often jovial in class. The reading load was reasonable. Highly recommended.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: GRK511
• 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:

Rigorous and demanding, has high standards, but eminently fair in his grading, this professor is extremely knowledgeable and genuinely wants his students to succeed.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: LAT500
• 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:

If you like teachers who belittle students, lacks a sense of humor, and grades mercilessly this is the guy for you.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: LAT520
• 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:

Dr. Petruccione's course is very, very demanding and rigorious. He has very high expectations for his students, and if they don't meet his standards, God help them. Otherwise, he is very funny and extremely intelligent, and is available for help. He is a wonderful teacher, if you are a Latin or Classics major/minor. No tests! 3 papers. Recommended!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: LATIN500S
• 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:

Dr. Petruccione's courses are extremely demanding. He has a rigid attendance policy and gives a lot of reading every night. His expectations for his students are sometimes unrealistic. In class his comments can be very harsh, often belittling. If you are a hard worker and have a thick skin, then your Latin and study skills will probably improve.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: LAT500
• 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:

If you are lazy, prideful, or think you are good at Latin, you probably will not like Dr. Petruccione. If you are open to improving your translation and writing skills, Dr. Petruccione is the best!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LAT104
• 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:

A grammar genious, Dr. P is the kind of teacher every classics program needs. To put it plainly: he calls students out for not working at the course. He runs a very mature classroom and those who can't handle it find personal issues with him. If you don't want to learn, get out of latin.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: LATIN104
• 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:

Avoid his classes like the plague. Don't expect rewards for your hard work. He picks on students and expects the knowledge of graduate students. I do feel that my Latin improved tremendously from his class, but I never had the opportunity to show my ability on his unfair final that was too long to finish and harshly graded.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: LAT104
• 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:

Petruccione is an excellent teacher. Students who put in an effort will find him extremely helpful and their translation skills will increase tremendously. It is only because he doesn't take bs from students that students find him a terrible teacher. But as long as you do your work, you will experience none of the problems mentioned by others.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The other ratings for this professor are wrong. If you work hard, show an interest in the subject matter, and honestly want to improve, Dr. Petruccione is extremely helpful. Dr. Petruccione demands perfection and helps get the most out of his students. My writing and translation skills improved immensely because of him.

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

The most condescending, unhelpful and egotistical professor I've ever seen. He assigns unreasonable amounts of work, then hardly covers it in the following class. Always quick to utter an abrasive comment to a student, but usually unavailable for help.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He is a vile, bitter man with a grudge against anyone not as smart as he perceives himself to be. If you take his course, be prepared to be surprised at your final grade. He can, and will, grade you based on his own petty determinations of your worth. Don't bother asking him for help. His office hours are not designed for you.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: LAT511
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I'd rather have a root canal.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Are you kidding?

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: LAT511
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

As he himself told me, "It's a very tough course: for the few and the brave." He is a bit eccentric, but I found him clear, helpful, and rather entertaining. While he demands high quality work and a lot of time and effort, you will find your are a far better latinist at the end of the semester.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LATIN511
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Petruccione, affectionately nicknamed "Paulie, vir acrissimus", teaches what should be "Latin for the masses". His delightful classroom demeanor encourages every student, with tales of the Hardy Boys, Captain Kangaroo, and oozing brains. Perfect for any not ready for hard latin.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

If you would like to fail as quickly as possible out of the university, take a course with him. Be prepared for grades out of spite and abusive remarks all throughout class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: LATIN500S
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prone to verbally abusing students in class, Petriccione often bursts into tirades in class. He takes anything less than absolute mastery of the material as a personal offense, and will ratchet up course requirements due to this "slight." Horr