Joyce Polistena - Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

Professor: Joyce Polistena

Department: Fine Arts

College: Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: 19THCENTAH
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Rude. Uninteresting. Art history is so much more impactful than she is.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: SPHA340
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

SIT IN THE FRONT OF THE CLASS! Joyce speaks quietly sometimes. I loved having Joyce for 19th Century. She's a very knowledgeable professor. Be ready to be very attentive in class and take plenty of notes. Sometimes her lectures can be a bit overwhelming and she can seem a bit intimidating but if you get to know her I promise, she's wonderful.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: HA340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She definitely knows what she's talking about and her lectures are very interesting, however, she does not create the best classroom climate. She calls on students randomly and does not attempt to make students feel comfortable answering, so participation is minimal. The required text book is basically unnecessary if you take notes.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: HA212
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Instead of final exam, she has you write a 6 pg paper! She does raise her voice but not towards students answering wrong, she's excited about finding the right answer. She really tries to intimidate you to come to class, but she's really sweet. If you're a painting major she'll love to have you in her class. Just participate a little!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: HA11516
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Sit in the front row, and she won't call on you. She allows you to remain silent in class, but you must display an interest that reflects her passion. Feel her emotions. Absorb the information, and learn it. She may not always give easy grades, but she is inspirational and a powerful lecturer.

Rating # 6

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I had her for 20th Century AH. She does raise her voice when students answer questions wrong, but that's usually only if they don't give a thoughtful answer. I thought she was actually pretty funny. The material was interesting and she knows alot about what she's teaching so I really liked the class

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HA216
• 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 the class and I love this teacher. No complaints!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: SPHA21609
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Although she is the most passionate art history professor I have had at Pratt so far, she patronizes her students and yells when someone gives an incorrect response. I always feel under attack during class, and I am petrified of when she'll inevitably call my name from the attendance to answer a question.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ARH004
• 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 uses the Socratic Method which would be great if this were a course on rhetoric but instead it causes students to clam up due to the fear of answering her questions wrong and this wastes class time. She can swing from being passionate to terrifying to uplifting to demeaning. Maybe bitter that paintings don't love her back. Yells at students.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: HIST216
• 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:

Took her for both HA215 and HA 216, 19th and 20th century Art History over 2 semesters. Se is passionate about sharing the material, extremely knowledgable and will help given the opportunity. Read the books, take good notes, and if you study for the tests, then you will come away form the experience with real knowledge.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: HA216
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Rambles throughout the class, shoots people down who describe something using "Sturdy" when she wants them to use the word "Unmoving". Yes she gives study guides, but so do all the other Art History teachers. Not worth the money I'm spending to go to this school, sorry.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: HIST216
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of my best experiences at Pratt so far. Great enthusiasm for subject matter. Asks for class interaction as a means to understand concepts which is hard on the shy and those lacking confidence. Undergrads tend to be too skittish to ask for help, but she is always hopeful to be asked for advice .

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: HA216
• 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:

Passionate about the subject and about students understanding. If you take the time to be interested and participate and read, it is by far one of my best experiences at Pratt.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: HA07
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She's a pretty good teacher. She gives study guides for her tests and quizes and I have not encountered anything on the exams that hasn't been discussed in class. Polistena is straight-forward. She loves what she does and it comes across in her teaching.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: HA216
• 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:

To those of you who claim everyone who is complaining is "lazy" I can tell you you're wrong in most cases. Plain and simple: this teacher gave tests with artwork she never taught NOR WAS IN THE TEXTBOOK! yet required you to learn EVERYTHING.She skips over artists who don't interest her. If you enjoy learning by reading a textbook than by all means.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: HA116
• 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:

SUCK IT UP, CRYBABY! YOU ARE IN COLLEGE< NOT IN KINDERGARTEN!!!! Bottom line, prof. Polistena is a brilliant art historian and teacher! never had a dull moment in her class. She will challenge and push you, but you will come out of her class with thorough knowledge of the subject!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: HA216
• 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:

I love art history but this class was an absolute horror. Lectures were boring and unengaging if you attempted to participate she would shoot you down if you didnt answer exactly the way she wanted. Gives study sheets and then uses works on the exam that are not on it. She knows her history but is incapable of teaching it.I would NOT reccommend her

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: HIST09
• 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:

I don't know what the complaining is about either. Polistena is a great teacher, she knows what she's talking about and really wants you to learn art history. As long as you pay attention, participate, and do the work you'll get a lot out of this class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: HA05
• 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:

What's the crying about? This is a great class if you pay attention.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: HA05
• 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:

SHE IS HORRIBLE, SHE SAYS THINGS THAT ARE IRRELEVANT TO WHAT IS NEEDED TO KNOW. SHE GIVES A LIST OF SLIDES TO STUDY FOR THE EXAM...SHE'LL PUT THINGS ON IT THAT SHE DID NOT REQUIRE TO READ OR STUDY...OR THINGS THAT WASN'T EVEN IN THE TEXTBOOK. SHE'S ALSO VERY BORING, I LOVE ART HISTORY AND SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT ME TO SLEEP IN 5 MINUTES