Ralph Savarese - Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA

Professor: Ralph Savarese

Department: English

College: Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: TUT101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

sav's class was super fun because not only is he really intelligent and gives some great insight with his lectures, he's also really funny and generally makes class enjoyable. he's a tough grader so it might hit your GPA a bit but that helps you improve a lot. If you're really looking to push yourself as a writer, he's the professor to take!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG321
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Incredible prof. Very witty and sarcastic, which may be confusing to some students, but is actually fun if you play along. He taught me more about the art of the English language than any prof I've had, and instilled a deep love for reading and writing poetry.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG321
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Best prof I ever had. Incredibly engaging lectures, knows how to lead discussion too. Tough grader, but he gives excellent feedback. Definitely intimidating- almost made me cry once! But under the acerbic exterior he's ultimately very kind and cares a lot about his students. More approachable one on one. He likes opinionated people, so don't be shy

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG206
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Savarese can be tough, but he's really informative. He's also a great ally for disabled students.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG231
• 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:

Definitely one of the best profs at Grinnell. He can be sarcastic, but he's not rude; it's important not to think of him as intimidating & then stuff he says won't get to you. He's very helpful during office hours & I've gotten more constructive feedback from him than in any of my other classes. I'm already a much better writer than I was before...

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG120
• 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:

A fantastic professor who genuinely loves the subject matter even after years and years of teaching. He will push you, so be prepared, but he only pushes you to make you better. His comments can sometimes shock students, but that's the student's fault for being uncomfortable with directness. Yes, he's sarcastic. DEAL WITH IT. IT'S FUNNY.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG231
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of my favorite professors at Grinnell. Dynamic, funny and brilliant, and he has the rare ability to make 8 am classes not only bearable, but enjoyable as well. I look forward to taking more classes with Savarese in the future.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: TUT101
• 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:

One of the best professors at Grinnell.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: TUT101
• 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:

Definitely not a good professor. Very cocky, likes to single out students in class. I have no idea how I got landed in my 5th choice tutorial. Especially bad for first years, will come as a huge shock to have this professor, and he will turn you off from taking any further writing courses if you haven't done a very writing intensive class before.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: TUT101
• 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:

Brilliant and passionate guy; can be engaging even when the topic is not. Very sarcastic, very intense, very critical. Do not expect an A on your paper unless it is absolutely outstandin. Expect a lot of homework.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: TUT101
• 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:

Brilliant and passionate guy; can be engaging even when the topic is not. Very sarcastic, very intense, very critical. Do not expect an A on your paper unless it is absolutely outstandin. Expect a lot of homework.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: TRADS231
• 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:

Assigns huge amounts of reading. His lectures are fairly interesting--he tries to get students to speak their minds on various topics covered. He's definitley a smart ass--sometimes that's fun, and sometimes it's just annoying. He's helpful during office hours. Though he's not always clear, he is a very smart prof. You can't BS your way here.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG120
• 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 is an incredible teacher, particularly for those who are interested in poetry. He is dedicated and enthusiastic about what he teaches. If you cannot handle Northeastern sarcastic manners, or are easily offended, be careful. Most people have to get used to him. But he's a great teacher, and will teach you how to write.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG228
• 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:

Really approachable, easy to talk to. Wants to help you. Kinda hard grader, but not unreasonable. Utilize him, he's a really good guy and he definitely knows his stuff.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CRAFTOFPOETRY
• 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:

As someone who just radiates energy and intelligence, Savarese was a great antidote to all of the lackluster English profs I've had who don't know their stuff and don't care. Slackers be warned: this man has an extremely low tolerence for fools and BSing, and will not trouble himself to hide it.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: POETRYSEMINAR
• 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:

This was one of the twoo best classes I had at Grinnell. He demanded an extrodinary amount, and that's what I learned.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: POETRY
• 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:

My favorite class at Grinnell thus far. Although Savarese can get mean if you get on his bad side, hard work will pay off. His enthusiasm for the subject increases the amount learned infinitely.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

worst prof i've ever had. very tempermental. brings personal problems to class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG228
• 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:

A M A Z I N G

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG228
• 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:

Extraordinarily intelligent and excited about the text. He has had some bad luck recently, but never let it deter him from his job. You come out of the class knowing sooo much more than when you went in!