Robert Burkholder - Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Professor: Robert Burkholder

Department: English

College: Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENGL297
• 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:

I took several of Dr. B's Adventure Literature courses. While each one presented its own challenges (they are not vacation), each one shaped who I am today. You will never find courses like these again in life, they are truly a diamond in the rough. If you are willing to be flexible and endure, you might discover something new about you. I did.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL232
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burkholder was not a very good instructor. His classes were very long and boring and the term papers were nearly impossible to get good grades on. Even if you are really into literature, his discussions in class are poorly organized and the quizzes just ask random facts from the book that make them harder than they should be.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGL232
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Dr. Robert Burkholder cannot teach. I took a simple Literature Survey class from 1865-Present and he was simply the worst teacher I have ever had in my entire life. His quizzes are absolutely impossible to pass, even if you have read the assigned readings, his essays are so ambiguous and vague. He simply just doesn't care about his students.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: THEBEACH
• 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:

Dr. B could be one of the best professors in the country. No one wants their students to succeed more than Dr. B. I would take a calculus class from him and I hate math.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG181A
• 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 am also shocked by the amount of people bashing Dr. B. I had him for two classes, and he was one of the nicest, most helpful, and most genuine professors I've ever had. He knows his stuff, he always is willing to help those who ask, and can be very understanding of conflicts in outside schedules. Just respect him as a person (like you should).

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH181
• 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:

Dr B is one of the best profs I've ever had! He really cares about his students/their welfare. I learned a lot in his class. It was a life changing experience. If you want a professor to get to know you on a personal level, look no further! He'll teach you to be a better writer! With a positive attitude, you can get an A and an amazing experience!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL181B
• 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:

Dr. B is a creative and inspiring teacher. I took his Cape Cod class, and the readings, brief films, and class activities were fun and helpful. Dr. B. helped me become a better writer and the trip to Cape Cod was awesome!

Rating # 8

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I have taken 4 adventure lit courses and honestly the only one that was worth was the beach/SC class, Cape Cod and Wilderness lit were the worst experience of my life He is the worst english prof I have ever had at PSU He is super rude and inconsiderate He's also a hard grader and will never give a chances to raise your grade. class=NOT WORTH IT.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG181C
• 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:

If you are not willing to miss spring break, hike around the swamps of South Carolina and kayak a lot, all with a smile on your face, do not take this class. That's it. Readings were hard and varied, but if you kept an open mind, you could enjoy them. Dr. B can be harsh, and he rarely answered my emails, but this class was a good experience.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG181C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS! It is not what you think! The name should be changed from "Beach Class" to "Swamp Torture" it was literally hell! Does not teach, annoying readings, and our lives were in complete danger on the trip. A few students got hypothermia and we were dangerously close to alligators. ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. You've been warned.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG181B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I've never in all my life had anything bad to say about a professor until now. This class was awful, he is picky on grammar, the readings are boring and the quizzes impossible to do and if he doesn't like you forget it. The food on the Cape Cod trip was terrible. The only good thing to come out of it are the friendships you build. STAY AWAY!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGL181B
• 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:

I looked forward to this class more than any other class until I actually took it. Not only were the readings extremely boring, the trip was a huge disappointment as well and it wasn't the trip it was Dr.B. has a major attitude and is very unapproachable for help and a very unclear grader.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL181B
• 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. B is the man! Enthusiastic, personable, genuinely loves what he teaches and wants to see his students succeed. Very fair - come to class, put in the effort, and you should have no problem pulling off a good grade. His adventure lit courses are Fantastic with a capital F. Don't miss out!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL297
• 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:

Dr. B is the chillest dude in the Keystone State, and his classes are a lot of fun. Go to South Carolina or Cape Cod and chill with this guy, you won't regret it.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL181
• 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:

Professor Burkholder is most certainly not an egomaniac. I'm surprised to see any mixed reviews on here. He loves what he does and asks little from his students apart from participaton and attention to detail. He knows his grammar; don't even think about handing in a paper w/o proofreading. Take his adv lit class, it's an A and a great experience!!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGL430
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a hard grader...but he's a nice guy. He does expect you to read and come to class prepared for quizzes. He's not a bad professor...but he does get a little boring at times. He's a nice guy overall. Attendance is a big thing as well!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG297
• 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:

Dr. B is a great professor. He truly loves what he does and it shows. Whoever said he was an egomaniac is an idiot. He treats you as an equal and is super down to earth. He is a fair grader but also wants you to do well. If you don't take one of his adventure lit classes you are missing an amazing opportunity. Do the reading.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENGL265
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I did the SC trip and was appalled. We got to see the real Bob Burkholder and it wasnt pretty. The guy isa total egomaniac. He was rude, affronting, and confrontational. He left 2of the students behind in a mad rage. Even his most faithful Burkites were snickering behind his back at the end. Only spent 2 of the 5 nights on the island, not worth it

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL265
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

My experience with Burkholder is that he is so apathetic to regulations and rules, that the class is a floater. Tremendously easy grader, and seems to make his friends this way. Class was great with him. We had a good culture going, and pretty solid discussion. However, there was a creepy kind of "camp" vibe, where he knew half the class from p

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGL265
• 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:

Dr. B is the man. Tons of reading but its not difficult, a few comprehension quizzes and 2 papers. You can rewrite papers as many times as it takes to get the A. He's so knowledgeable and personable, I recommend taking him at least once in your PSU career :)