Michael Helfand - University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Professor: Michael Helfand

Department: English

College: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: LIT1175
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is incredibly knowledgeable without a doubt. He'll even make sure to include all of the students' points in the discussion. However, be aware that he has an expectation of your quality of work. My advice: shape your work to the class's tone - not your own (historical, philosophical, etc.). Stick to HIS guns.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: LIT0625
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Read almost a dozen books during the semester most of which were interesting. Good gen ed class to take if English isn't your favorite subject. Grades consist of an in class mid term and final along with a long essay on a topic of your choosing.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: LIT1175
• 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:

I really enjoyed taking Brit Lit with Professor Helfand because even though I found the material very boring as I read it, he makes it so interesting. He's absolutely brilliant. However, he requires a ton of reading, and his 2 exams and final paper are so vague that they may not accurately portray what you truly learned.

Rating # 4

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I dont know if this guy is losing it or the other comments are lies. This was the worst class. It had no structure, you read the books all 9 of them and discuss for 10 min with no clear answer. Tests were vague and the paper assignment was 10 pages of nonsense. He was very stuck up and didnt give much advice. Do not recommend this professor.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: LIT0625
• 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:

Grab the nearest copy of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Open cover. Read last quote on 1st page. That's Michael Helfand. Seriously, he knows his stuff. Loved him as a professor and enjoyed doing the readings and going to class. Only class discussions I ever participated in!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGLI0625
• 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:

I enjoyed Dr. Helfand's class. His lectures were enjoyable and produced some interesting conversations. His tests are of medium difficulty and the paper will take some time to do. He holds office hours too. A good professor for a non-english major like myself.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: HIST1775
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Class itself is pretty boring. If you do the readings from to time and take notes you should be more than fine for the tests. Grade's based on one midterm, one final and final paper

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGLI0650
• 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:

Absolutely brilliant. Makes the worlds of literature come alive in a way no one I have ever had before. His tests are straightforward and test your knowledge of the material. His papers make you learn. He is superb.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LIT0625
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I had him for detective fiction. The books were great, and you grade came from a midterm, a final and 1 paper, as long as you read the books, you were good for all the exams. Paper requires some time though 10-15 pages, but you get to pick your own topic. A very manageable class if you are not an english major.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: LIT0635
• 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 liked him. I had him for New Lit, and he could have facilitated discussions better. However, he's very smart and a pleasant guy.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG0500
• 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:

Helfand's a nice guy. If you participate and come to class, you're good. Just put a little time into the papers; each one is revised and you always go a half-letter grade up with minimal effort. The class material got a little boring, but he always discussed it clearly.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGLI0635
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

HORRIBLE. ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. this is the WORST professor i have ever had. he picks good books, but he cannot teach. the classes were pointless, and he is unclear about attendance being mandatory. his exams are tough--he pulls stuff out of nowhere. he is extremely boring and his classes are pointless. take him if you like to nap during class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG0000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Terrible, had him twice hated him both times. Picked decent books but was otherwise useless. Talks about nothing in particular and has absolutely no ability as far as teaching is concerned. On the plus side, you could easily get a B or so without EVER attending lecture if you wanted.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGLI0500
• 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:

Dr. Helfand picked interesting books and tied them together in an interesting way. He was very good at directing discussions and making us think about the texts. His paper topics were extremely challenging, but in the end I feel like he pushed me to produce some work that I am proud of.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Three decades plus after having this course, much of it is still vid, thanks to the excellent teaching skills of the professor. He is very easy-going.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 19THCENTBRIT
• 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:

Ummmmm, AWFUL. Made me want to sleep, and with this class, his discussions of poetry were offensive to the English Language. He doesn't place emphasis on anything that will be on the test, so watch yourself.

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Awesome teacher. down to earth and keeps conversations going really well. has excellent taste in choosing books, and actually seems to care if students enjoy the book as well as understand it. As long as you read the texts (not just skim) his tests are easy

Rating # 20

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Ehhh....not the best teacher ever