Patricia L. Skarda - Smith College, Northampton, MA

Professor: Patricia L. Skarda

Department: English Language & Literature

College: Smith College, Northampton, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG200
• 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:

Smartest woman I've ever known, mind like a steel trap, scared me to death, but hands down the best teacher I've ever had. Taught me how to think, use my mind. Took every course I could from her, didn't care about the subject matter, got such great intellectual skills from her. And she's remained supportive years after graduation. A star!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG221
• 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:

A breath of fresh air at overly sensitive Smith College. Ms. Skarda tells it like it is and is amazingly intelligent and knowledgeable in her field. I graduated years ago but she remains one of my all time favorite professors.

Rating # 3

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

If you have something to say, get ready to be challenged and defend your opinions. It's intimidating sometimes but it will help you learn. Ultimately you should go into her classes with confidence and persistence, or be prepared to build it up as you go. You will definitely learn a lot from her. Only downside is class can sometimes get off topic.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG263
• 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:

Absolutely amazing! This woman has it all: charm, sophistication, and style. She is a fabulous instructor as well. I have taken many classes in a variety of institutions, (I have two degrees, and am working on a third) and throughout my academic career, I have never taken such a challenging, thought-inspiring class. Yes, she’s tough, but you learn

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG200
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am surprised that everyone is incensed! Professor Skarda speaks her mind, teaches her subject with enthusiasm and is FUN! I would like to return to Smith just to take more courses with her.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGENG
• 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:

Professor Skarda is possibly the best professor at Smith. She is a bit of a wingnut but that is part of her charm. She IS hard and she DOES play favorites, but I have never learned so much from anyone. She throws great parties for students and wears some of the strangest clothing ever. Don't be afraid of her! Stand your ground and learn.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ROMAN1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you are her pet, there is nothing she won't do for you. If you are not, there is nothing she won't do to tear you to pieces. Be very careful, and don't take her as an advisor. She has very poor boundaries.

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Not for anyone who doesn't want their sensitive little feelings hurt and their touchy-feely PC bubble burst. Overall, she's a good teacher, though sometimes inclined to go on tangents, and is very available for office hours. I really enjoyed her class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: POETRY
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Obnoxious, rude and focused on herself.

Rating # 10

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

If Pat doesn't like you hit the road and fast. It is her way or no way.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: VARIOUSENGLISH
• 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:

Among other rude things she told me as my advisor, she told me flat out I shouldn't bother trying to go to graduate school. My grades were good but her snide comments dissuaded me. She is bitter she didn't go to Smith, and rude to all but her favorites. Don't take her class but especially don't choose her as an advisor!!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ROMANTICPOETRY
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Sharp, witty... the sort of old battleaxe who isn't about to take anything lying down. I like her a lot, but some people don't at all.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG211
• 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:

So... awesome. She has guts, grit and a great sense of humor, and combines that with a personal way of reaching students and getting her points across. I loved Telling and Retelling.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG
• 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:

She's the perfect person to have around when you're doubting your potential. My mom took a class with her in the seventies, and Skarda's encouragement is the reason she went to grad school, back when women weren't expected to go on. After all these years, Pat is still a wonderful professor.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: 200
• 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:

one of the best professors that i have ever had--she's tough but fair and totally hilarious. her love of the work she teaches is contagious.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG205
• 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:

Pat is awesome. Her class is not only educational, but my comic relief of the week. She brings material to life. She is honest and real. She is not overly PC like many people here, which is refreshing. I heart Pat!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: FYS118
• 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:

I loved this class! It wasn't too easy, but I was very interested in the subject and so was Professor Skarda. She was encouraging, entertaining, and became my pre-major advisor during the semester. Now I don't want to declare my major because it means I won't be able to see her for advising purposes

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG199
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

grrr

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: FYS118
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

She is intelligent and has a great sense of humor. She does tend to be brutally honest, which I think is usually a positive quality but can offend people. I suggest taking a class with her and if you don't like it or her, leave!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG205
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really intelligent and helpful, and pretty funny. However, she is often more interested in hearing her own opinions than those of the class.