Richard Knowles - University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI

Professor: Richard Knowles

Department: English

College: University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG215
• 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:

Dry, boring lectures in which the professor LITERALLY read from the book. The only way I got through this class was going to discussion, where my TA taught us what we missed in lecture.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG417
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

A nice professor. B.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG215
• 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:

Boring. Wasn't excited about the class to begin with and he didn't make it any better. Exams are so-so, essay questions are fair, passage identification is quite unreasonable for the amount of material. only took this class to get the shakespeare requirement fulfilled.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG219
• 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:

Prof Knowles is very interesting. His lectures help out alot for understanding the themes of the plays, which is huge on the tests. I'd highly recommend this class and Prof Knowles. He is clever and witty, and definitely knows his Shakespeare.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG220
• 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:

Nothing but good things to say about this man. Enthusiastic and entertaining. I REALLY enjoyed his class, one of my favorites. He only grades on three exams, but he tells you and then retells you EXACTLY what points he wants to see. So, they are VERY do-able.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Lecture isn't bad and he obviously knows his tragedies, but the exams suck. There is never enough time to do everything asked of you and the graders do not grade using the same rubric. They don't attend his lecture and have different expectations. You never know what you'll get on an exam, despite how prepared you are or are not. So frustrating!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG220
• 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:

I haven't taken a test yet so I can't tell you how difficult they are, but I'd advise you to remember that 219 is focused on comedies, and 220 on tragedies. obviously the review is colored by the amount of effort of the student and their interest in the material. overall he is an articulate, dry man who will give you ask much as you take.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG219
• 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:

Knowles is a fantastic professor. He is funny, and his lectures were very interesting. This was one of my favorite classes. Exams aren't bad if you read the plays. If you feel that the TA didn't grade you fairly, you can talk to Knowles and he may increase your grade. I learned a lot in this class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENGL219
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Unfortunately, you're only graded on three exams. Fortunately, he tells you exactly what he wants on them. Although you can manage to not read and cram, I'd suggest keeping up with the text. He's not a bad lecturer and sometimes he'll be pretty witty, but for the most part, it is a little dry and boring.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG220
• 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:

Very good. I hated Shakespeare before I took his class and came out with a deep appreciation for his works. He tells you exactly what you need to do on the exams, so if you know the material, you should get an A on every one.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG219
• 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 most interesting professors I've ever had. His little quirks and his manner of speaking, coupled with occasional humor and his overall excitement for the subject of Shakespeare make his lectures both interesting and enjoyable. He's definitely a character!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGL220
• 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:

Hes knowlegable, but his tests are by gpa's mortal enemy. They are graded by unknown TA's who hate you. That said, you can get a decent grade if you really cram hard, and memorize passages from the plays. Read as much as you can and make outlines. condescending, attendance mandatory

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG211
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Didn't learn anything...

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG220
• 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:

Exactly what I expected from a college-level class! Best professor I had. His knowledge of Shakespeare was comprehensive, his lectures packed with information and his immersion in and delight with the material addictive. He expects a lot but gives much more. This class has stayed with me more than any other. Tests were demanding but fair.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG227
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

What some would call a pompous ass.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

A G.P.A. killer. I recommend not even considering Knowles on your schedule.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG219
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I liked lecture & I hated tests. He's passionate about Shakespeare & makes it interesting. At one point he even got teary-eyed over a character's sadness. His renditions of plays are fun. Tests are a nightmare. READ the text (SparkNotes has translations to modern English). Questions are super difficult & he expects you to know his lecture info.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

With Knowles you will learn nothing. I suggest not taking his worthless class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG220
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Despite the man negative reviews here, Knowles is one of the two best professors I've ever had. He is very interesting to listen and enthusiastic. He is not an especially hard grader, just make sure you go to class and are familiar with the material. For the amount of work necessary in relation to what I got out of it, the class is amazing!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG219
• 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:

Occasionally funny, quite full of himself, fairly condescending. Never-before-seen TAs grade your exams, which are lengthy and difficult. You better memorize acts, scenes, and quotes. You can spew back what he's told you and still get a crappy grade. It would probably help if you've had this stuff before. This class made me quit the English major.