R Shoaf - University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Professor: R Shoaf

Department: English

College: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Rating # 1

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

They should call him Mount Shoafmore: Chaucer, Dante, Shakespeare, Milton. With all due respects, Hamlet ain't pregnant. And Milton read A Midsummer's Night's Dream--the whole heaven out of hell and hell out of heaven thing is in the play, explicitly. So there, Milton did read a comedy. Shakespeare's best comedy.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENL4333
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Shoaf encourages discussions and even argument in the classroom allowing students freedom to develop theses to be used in the two required papers. He is by no means an "easy A" but well worth the effort. A truly enlightening class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENL4333
• 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:

Extremely knowledgeable. Amazingly helpful. Super passionate. You must read the text! The content is difficult and will make you uncomfortable; however, you will see the world in a new way. You will hear talk about sex, gender, and society. The class runs by discussion. Some pop quizzes. If you're a creative English major, take this class!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENL4333
• 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:

Professor Shoaf is one of the best teachers I've ever had. His arguments are interesting and innovative. He inspires you to explore the tragedies and come up with your own ideas. I have never put more effort into my essays. It is not easy -- he expects you to write well but he is fair and very helpful. A must for English majors.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG4333
• 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 loved Shoaf's class. As an English major I feel you should be comfortable with reading a whole play before discussing it. You should be comfortable writing an essay without being assigned a prompt. His lack of structure is conducive to creative thinking and application. If you are lazy then don't take this class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENL4333
• 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:

Knows the subject but is too immersed in it-cannot communicate lessons clearly. His lectures are his rambling thoughts-no structure, communication of objectives, or organization.Everyone left class more confused. Above the level of knowledge of student & MANY references he never explained or assigned us to read about prior to class. Terrible.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENL3210
• 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:

This is the first college professor that has made me feel respected as a thinker. In his words, he assumes the intelligence of his students. He does not talk down to his students; he teaches so that in order to keep up one must exert a certain amount of effort to reach his plane of thought. I have been forced (quite happily) to grow as a reader.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENL4333
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

In a semester I felt I got the most out of his class than any other. He really knows his stuff and he makes sure you leave with as much insight as possible. He is a great professor and his lectures are very interesting!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENL4333
• 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:

I've taken two classes with Shoaf (Chaucer and Shakespeare). I'm convinced the reason why I enjoyed them was because of him. His 3 hour lectures are fine. Shoaf is a really knowledgable person. He thinks out loud. I have a page full of quotes by him in my notebook I kept for his classes, not even quotes on the subject material, just on life.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENL3210
• 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:

If you get an A in his class, you will have earned it. Dr. Shoaf is tough and a bit weird, but man does he know his stuff. If you deserve to be an English major, you will do well in the class--his grading is only harsh if you don't know how to write well. He is always willing to help outside class. The most I've ever learned in an English course.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: SHAKE4333
• 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:

Dr Shoaf is the most influential professor I've ever had. He's dedicated to helping his students, he's exceptionally knowledgable about the material, and his lectures don't sugar coat what is undeniably in the text. I can't see how people complain about two 4p papers a semester. & if he graded you hard, it's because he wants you to better yourself.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: LIT4270
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Originally had Professor Paxson, but after his tragic passing, Shoaf stepped in to replace him. Because I had not signed up for Shoaf originally I had some reserve and was right in my apprehension. Shoaf is knowledgeable yet intimidating and prone to tangents that often deal in sexual matters that are supported, but disturbing. Be prepared to squir

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENL0000
• 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:

Regretted taking his Shakespeare class. VERY knowledgeable, but almost mean spirited... harsh grading, aggressive personality and presence in the classroom. Huge workload, tough material. Not to mention a hard grader. Fascinating lectures, but you will be SQUIRMING in your seat!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENL4333
• 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:

Dr. Shoaf completely changed the way I look at Shakespeare. Even though I wasn't exactly enthusiastic about sitting through a three hour class, I always enjoyed the meetings and came away with learning something new. I recommend taking a Shoaf course at least once if you are an English major, it will be worth your while.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: LIT4930
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Shoaf is a remarkable man. He is very passionate and knowledgeable about Dante. Dante's comedy is intense material to study and requires your full attention. Grades based on 3 papers. You cannot BS these papers to pass but Dr. Shoaf is willing to help.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENL3210
• 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:

This professor is great. If you're an English major, I would slap you if you thought reading a book a week or more was difficult work. Read the books, pay attention in class, and take this class seriously. You will actually learn something. He expects you to act like a competent human being, it's not that hard.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG4333
• 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:

Stay away if you're afraid of working your butt off. If not, then this is the best professor the Eng Dept has to offer. Changed my life. I gained a far greater understanding of life and the world as a result. Best prof i've every had. It was painful, and worth it. Thank you.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENL4311
• 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:

I was very intimidated with old english prior to this class. It was very difficult for me to learn. By the end of the six week semester, I had written the best paper of my academic carreer. He actually thanked me for writing it! I never could have written it without his brilliant lectures and enthusiastic encouragement. Best teacher ive ever h

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENL3210
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Wonderful teacher. Everday I left his class in awe. Clearly knows the subject well. Important to read the texts before class, and important to attend class. Class was difficult but well worth it if you dont mind doing some work.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: LIT4930
• 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 had Shoaf for his Dante class. He was incredible. I'm taking a Shakespeare class with him next semester, I enjoyed him so much. This is not a class to take if you want an easy A. You will have to work, but if you are serious about english it is amazing. He's incredibly knowledgable. One of my favorite profs so far.