Merlin Szozas - Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI

Professor: Merlin Szozas

Department: Fine Arts

College: Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: SPTLD06
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Great realist, gives good feedback and knows his stuff. Simple projects give room to fully grasp the concepts. Also a nice guy, I don't know why so many people have problems with him?? as long as you do your work and aren't a spoiled brat Merlin's excellent. I mean, don't kiss the ground he walks on, but don't be too much of a pretentious punk.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: FOUND3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Had him for foundations 3d- good teacher. Sculptural assignments and he is quite funny and reminded me of Santa.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: FOUND20
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Really attentive and cares for the individual student and their progress. A difficult class but really rewarding.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: DWORK
• 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:

Merlin is a great teacher. He is always willing to step in and help if you need it, and he also knows when to give you your space.At first some of his concepts are difficult to understand, but after a few classes it becomes more clear. His assighnments can be somewhat simple, but i believe they are important and necessary for grasping the basics.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FOUND3D
• 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:

He treated us like elementary school students. I am envious of my friends who got 3d teachers who challenged them intellectually with conceptual assignments which gave them the freedom to explore things for themselves. Merlin's assignments are dated and uninspiring.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: FOUND3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

i did learn important ideas, but i also knew to take others with a grain of salt. he has an extremely narrow-minded view of what art is, and politely disagreeing with that opinion will get you nowhere, since his opinion is fact. the final project is embarassing, as is his portfolio. never be late to class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FOUND3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

His concepts are often hard to grasp, but if you're lucky enough things start to click. A lot of what I learned I was able to apply to my other classes. I found it really helpful in the end. Be open to what he is teaching. He gives a lot of class time to do assignments, esp. at the end. the final(plaster) is pretty easy, though at times stressful.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FOUND3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

His assignments are based on complex ideas that he wants his students to grasp, and if you're like me and you don't understand those ideas, you're not going to do well in the class. He's all about craft, so don't be messy. He also makes really awkward sexual jokes.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: FOUND3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

merlin is fine for kids who accept his guidelines, but if you come close to a different opinion than his own he is nothing but condescending, bitter and unappreciateive regardless of your effort/ability. easily my worst foundation studio.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FOUNDATION3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Never having done 3D before I was apprehensive about this class but Merlin was amazing. The seemingly simple assignments reveal complex challenges but Merlin is right there with you. He gives up his weekends to help students in the studio and always throws in comic relief. You should feel excited and privliged to have Merlin as their professor.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 3DFOUNDATION
• 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:

Years later he still has made a lasting impact on me! Hands down the best professor I have ever experienced.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: 3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

the best class i had in all my 4 years at risd i have to say. without a doubt i am a different person today because of him and what he tought me.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 3DDESIGN
• 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:

Merlin is like the wizard of legend, snowy beard and all. Very wise, insightful, and strict, but at the same time, very kind and patient. Brutally honest. Holds you to rigorous standards, but makes it worth it.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: FRESHMAN3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

told me i would be good at decorating cakes in freshman 3d. i got what he meant and took that advice with me from that point on. keep it clean .

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: FOUNNDATION3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

At times he made sexual comments which I felt were highly inappropriate.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Merlin is the greatest teacher at RISD. He is such a sweet man and he loves his students. The work is hard but very thought provoking. You will love his class its amazing!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: 3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

still a freshman, but he's by far my best teacher at risd

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: 3D
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher- one of the best I've had here at RISD.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 3DFOUND
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

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