Paul Phalen - Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA

Professor: Paul Phalen

Department: Communication

College: Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COMM120
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Phalen is really good at helping you enhance your public speaking skills. He expects good outlines before speech and also expects alot of participation. Take good notes and read for quizes. He is good and nice at preparing us to be as professional as we need to be for our career.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: COMM120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you are only looking for an easy A, then this will not be the class for you. However, if you are willing to make yourself commit to Professor Phalen's class, you will learn more than just the letter grade. Professor Phalen doesn't only care about how you perform in the class, but also teaches you about how to perform in your future life.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COMM120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Paul Phalen, is an experienced, patient, understanding, but yet a tough professor. I highly recommend him if you are interested to learn public speaking at a professional level. He is not the type to just show up and expect to receive an A. If you would like a challenge and are willing to give your full effort take his class. Good Luck!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COMM120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Phalen was extremely motivational and his class was fun. Attendance is 100% mandatory. The class became pretty comfortable with each other which made speeches more comfortable. He's also super understanding.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COMM120
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Phalen is one of the best teachers I have had at DVC. He will make you speak a lot and you have to show up, but you will come out more confident because of it. The class becomes close knit, so speaking in front of people becomes less difficult. His tests are super hard, so STUDY!!! Also he offers a lot of extra credit at the end of the semester.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COMM120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I am so grateful that I had Professor Pahlen. He truly cares about your success in the class, especially through participating! You HAVE to speak everyday in class. Im a shy student so it was a big change to have to talk in class. It will affect your grade greatly if you don't! If your shy maybe this class is not for you. Try it though, he's great!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: COMM120
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Mr. Paul Phalen is the first Professor that I got close with in my college career. He wants you to read the book to make your speeches. He wants everyone to participate every class day. If you speak once, you get an A for the day. Test are rough, so study the book a lot. Gives great feedback for speeches and just has a friendly attitude.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COMM120
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is the best speech professor anyone could ask for. He's approachable, loves his job, and knows how to encourage students to get over their fears of public speaking. He gives a lot of speeches because he wants you to get practice, but is very fair in his grading. Very involved class. Attendance is mandatory, so don't bother if you're a slacker.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COMM120
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's a nice guy that pretends to be a harder teacher than he is. You'll do a lot of speeches in his class, but with a little bit of preparation they aren't too difficult. Participation in the class is a must. Show that you care in the class and Phalen will notice. Not an easy A, but you might actually become a better speaker.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: SPEECH120
• 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:

Phalen is a great teacher, he's experienced and seasoned. He has a lot of knowledge to share, but it's not an easy A. You have to be committed to the class, work hard and be willing to participate. Missing class or failing to speak are big on the DO NOT list. If you are willing to put in the effort, you'll be rewarded with a useful skill.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: COMM120
• 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:

Great teacher! seems like a hard ass at first but its really because he cares. Though expect to learn on your own. He does speak a lot in class but most knowledge would be obtained from reading, self critiques, and speeches. All points are organized on the syllabus. I recommend you read it over a few times.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: SPEECH120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I recommend his class! He turned out to be an awesome teacher, real nice guy with a unique sense of humor, made class interesting and will help you if you're struggling. He grades fair, and will go easier on those who volunteer to speak on the first day. Just put in the effort and you will reap the reward!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: SPCH120
• 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:

In Prof. Phalen's class there is room for everyone. Beginners, people whose breath is taken away on stage, even international students. However, don't expect an easy A. It is extremely hard, but all about your attitude. Put maximum effort, participate, be a good team player and you'll be rewarded. "It is a win win"(according to Prof. Phalen)

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: SPEECH120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Paul is a great professor, but don't expect an easy A. You will have to push yourself and put in a lot of work, but it will be worth it in the end. He grades fair, and if you let him, he will give you a lot of valuable constructive criticism that will push you to be a better speaker. I highly recommend him. Especially if you really want to improve.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: SPCH120
• 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:

His speech-120 was the most practical class I have ever taken at DVC. His class is all about stretching your limit. Public speaking isn't easy for everyone, but if you take in his advice each time you will make steady progress. Work hard in his class and you will earn more than a grade--you will master a skill that benefits you beyond college.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: SPCH120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very hard class, especially since I went in hating public speaking already. He never really "teaches" you how to perform a proper speech, because he just points to the textbook and expects you to read it by yourself. Oh, and we never looked at the textbook besides to study for the one and only test you have in that class. Overall, the class is okay

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: SPCH120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

SUPER HARD WORK! He has stepped up his game after a 42 year tenure. The work load feels like 40 hours a week. He is an extremely dedicated professor and expects the same dedication out of his students. After many hours of speech preparation and back to back presentations, all other speech classes are a breeze. Challenging, but your will learn.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SPEEC120
• 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:

Best speech teacher ever. :] I HATED doing speeches and I was always nervous to speak in front of a crowd, but he was the one that helps you out of your bubble and enjoy your time in that class. From the beginning he makes you comfortable with the class so by the end of the semester your all one big family! I highly recommend him.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: SPCH120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He does not boggart the stash... of knowledge. This class is like diving for abalone with someone you love. He is patient and will help students that are willing to put forth effort.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: SPCH120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I regret to say I did not have this man as a teacher but he did substitute for Storer a few times. SO FUNNY and SO FRIENDLY. I LOVE this guy.