Riv-Ellen Prell - University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN

Professor: Riv-Ellen Prell

Department: Ethnic Studies

College: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: HSEM2006H
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This seminar was not what I expected. It definitely teaches good research and writing skills. However, there is a lot of reading and writing for a 2xxx level class. She is very helpful but the class itself could have been far more interesting and creative.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: AMST1011
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Riv-Ellen is a great teacher, but the course was a bit rough, especially for a first-level course. She is pretty lenient about grading and such, though.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: JWST3252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

She was honestly THE best professor I have ever had. I have no idea what people are talking about on here. I attended every class and paid attention and walked away with an A. She is extremely helpful and will happily stay after class to discuss any questions you might have. She is passionate about what she teaches and I loved her class.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: AMSTU3252
• 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:

This was a really interesting class and the professor was super. She obviously likes students and was accessible and friendly. She cared about us learning something important, and at least I did. I have no idea what planet the disgruntled students who complained were on because she was demanding but always respectful of students.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: AMSTU3252
• 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 was a wonderful class. The lectures were interesting and I could not believe anyone could sleep or text through her lectures, but some did! They must not care about the rest of the world and were there just to fill requirements. Dr. Prell took anyone who was engaged seriously and was always respectful of our ideas. Readings were fascinating.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: AMSTU3252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was among the best classes I?ve taken at U of M. The material was very interesting. Readings were great. There was variety in lecture-films, visual images etc. I?m shocked by what others wrote. This class was lively and challenging. I always felt respected and taken seriously by the professor. Students asked questions throughout the semester.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: AMST3252
• 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:

i would not recommend this class to anyone. lectures were pointless. all we talked about was "racial hierarchy" / "race science." extremely dull. several writing assignments which were overly specific. if you didn't write it exactly the way she wanted, you would have no chance of getting an A. terrible, just TERRIBLE.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: AMST3252
• 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:

She is an extremely intelligent woman and has a lot to say about the subject. Great material covered in class. She is extremely rude, quick to criticize and belittles students. No one raised their hand for questions by the end of class because we were all afraid to say anything. My TA should have taught the class. He was great!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: AMST3252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

While she is wicked smart, she also is arrogant and condescending to the point where you just want to slap her. She lacks patience for students with differing view points, and is not above insulting a student in the middle of class. If you have the patience, take it for you will learn a lot, otherwise avoid.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: JWST3000
• 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:

Riv-Ellen is one of the most patronizing professors i have ever met. she has very little faith in the thoughts of students. it is her way or the high way...ill take the high way.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: AMST001
• 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:

Riv-Ellen is not a great teacher, I am surprised by comments stating otherwise. She is very intelligent and generally helpful, but also condescending, belittling and unwilling to listen to excuses. Papers are difficult because she wants them her way and your grade reflects it. She would be good in a resource library to help, not as an instructor.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: AMST3252
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Excellent teacher. Lectures sometimes bounce around, but if you listen more than you write it all makes sense. Send your paper drafts to your TA, it'll almost guarantee you A's. Listen to her, and ask questions. I enjoyed this class so much I decided to minor in American Studies.

Rating # 13

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I really liked this class and I enjoyed Riv-Ellen's teaching style. She explained things clearly, and the topics were pretty interesting. There are a few movies to watch in the course. The TA was really helpful as well, and the assignments were well laid out.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: JWST328063
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Most uninteresting lecturer I've had and she gets incredibly snippy on random occasions! The class was boring and her grading procedures were questionable. Often demeans students for supposed lack of comprehension of subject matter which didn't help things any.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: AMST3252W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

A class you could practically take online. Very dull, very boring. I didn't learn a thing and i think the TA that taught the section did a better job teaching.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: AMST3252
• 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:

agreed

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: AMST3252W
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

i agree with the last comment

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: AMST3252W
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ok... so what was the point of lecture? You read the materials, and everything was graded by your TA... nothing was relevant, and it was a total snooze. It got rid of a LOT of requirements though... easy class!