Robert Rivkin - University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

Professor: Robert Rivkin

Department: Languages

College: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: LATIAN101
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He is a very good teacher and if you need extra help or assistance he will be there for you 100%. I took 9 years of school and he was by far the best teacher Ive ever had. He will call you out, but if he gives you a hard time its cause he likes you. If you wanna pass study for the little quizzes and do you homework.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: LATN101
• 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:

A great teacher who really cares about the subject. He takes a boring subject like Latin and makes it fun. Gives a lot of quizzes so it is mandatory to go to class. Easy to fall behind.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: LATN101
• 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:

Studying is required everyday. If you don't you will fall behind & it will take a while to catch up. Gives homework all the time & gives quizzes a lot. He says that making mistakes is better than doing nothing but then makes you feel stupid & inferior when you do make mistakes. Not very effective teaching. He has made me lose interest in Latin.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: LAT101
• 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:

The only advice I can give is: follow ALL directions and come to class prepared. You will be called on during most classes and if you aren't prepared, Professor Rivkin will make it known to everyone. He can be quite funny...when it isn't you he is making fun of. I also think he genuinely cares about his students and their learning. Good teacher!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: LATIN101
• 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:

Very intelligent. Can be condescending. Tests and quizzes are on the material no tricks. If you have trouble with languages I would not recommend taking his course. If you can deal with a lot of work and enjoy learning languages he seems like a good professor. He does not think it is possible to struggle for any other reason than laziness .

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: LATIN101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Rivkin was a good teacher but you definately have to know the material. I can't stress it enough, he will embarrass you in class repeatedly until you do. Lots of work, if you're looking to just sit there and get an A, you're in the wrong class. Tests are medium difficulty, if you study they are easy. I got a B in the end.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: LATN101
• 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:

Rivkin is totally awesome. The class is tough, but that's only because of how much material it is. By the end of the semester, you'll probably know most of it like the back of your hand anyway. His exams are easy if you study, and he gives lots of extra credit. I got a B, but that's because I slacked off. It's a great class that I enjoyed going to.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: LATIN101
• 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:

One of the best profs I ever had. Might be a little on the hard and harsh side, but his class is ALWAYS amusing. As long as he sees that you're willing to put in effort, there's no way you can fail. Plus, very humorous. First semester is a little intimidating but by 102, my friends and I actually look forward to his class!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LATN102
• 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:

Rivkin really pushes you to learn the material, and that means daily quizzes and hours of homework. That, plus his tendency to tease the class mercilessly, can almost be off-putting, but it's really just tough love. If you put in the work, you'll walk away having really genuinely learned the course matter.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: LATIN101
• 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:

Very smart and a nice guy but sometimes lets his sarcasm in class turn into verbal abuse. He knows how to embarrass you into making sure you have the work done. Expect homework every night, about a 1 1/2 hrs. He is very caring and really wants you to know the most you can.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: LATIN101
• 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:

Best teacher I have ever had. Very interested in material & gives fun facts about the classical period. I would recommend to take it with him because he is always willing to help and is easy to approach. But don't get mad at his sarcasm. It's the best part of class! :)

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: LATN101
• 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:

Excellent Professor! You will read some pretty harsh comments about him and they are true if you are looking for an easy A. It is easy to get an A if you study, it is a language. You must study hard. Of the 25 quizzes he gives he drops the lowest 5 grades, this is why he doesn't give make-up quizzes. He cares very much about his students.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: LATN102
• 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:

Easily one of the best professors I've ever had. He will push you to do your best, especially if he knows you are not doing so. If you don't get an "A" in his class, you are simply not trying.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: LATIN102
• 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:

WOW! Rivkin is one of the best professors I have ever had. You work your butt off (be ready for 1 hour of homework a night), but you will learn so much. He has a sharp sense of humor that makes for some fun banter between the students & himself. If you want to learn Latin & aren't afraid to work- TAKE HIM! I wish he taught more classes!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: LATIN1
• 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 Mr. Rivkin in high school and he is hard and demanding. But he wants his students to do their best. I took the lessons from his class and have remembered them for 20 years. If he seems harsh, it's only because he wants you to want to do well. His standards for his students put them well above the accepted standards of any other class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: LATN101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst I've had. He won't allow you to make up even a quiz (which he gives too many of, almost every other class, to count--which is ridiculous), if you're sick, and he can be verbally abusive when it is uncalled for. In general that about covers it. Avoid at all costs.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: LATN102
• 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:

One of the best teachers in the university. This class will force you to master both the English and Latin languages. If you put in an hour or two each night and get used to his quiz/exam style, class will be easy. His humor is harsh but not personal and he cares about students who try. You will learn much more than just Latin if you want to.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LATN102
• 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:

Tells you what to expect on the exams and on quizzes, and usually gives quizzes twice a week. Expect homework (translations) every night, and he sometimes gives extra credit assignments. Friendly and is very nice one-on-one.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: LATN102
• 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:

very helpful and encouraging

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: LATIN102
• 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:

Great teacher. Harsh and demanding, but you *will* learn. He has high expectations of his students and can embarass you immensely if you cant take his humor and determination to lead you to he right answer. Don't take his courses if you plan on slacking or not attending classes.