Stephen Bernstein - University of Michigan - Flint, Flint, MI

Professor: Stephen Bernstein

Department: English

College: University of Michigan - Flint, Flint, MI

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG208
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof Bernstein managed to make an online class interesting, which is something most teachers can't do! There is a weekly discussion, 10 question quiz, a (usually short) assignment, and four 750-word papers. You can tell that he really loves poetry and cares about his student's success.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG400
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am currently in Eng 400 (which is the capstone course for English Majors). I found the class to be engaging, interesting, fun, and challenging. Dr. Bernstein can be intimidating, but he treats all of his student with the utmost respect. I never saw favoritism. He is a hard grader, but that is what teaches us to be better writers.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG400
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Mandatory

Comment:

He is a very tough grader and is unwavering in how his first impressions of students never changes. If he doesnt like you very much, you will know it. He plays favorites and thats inappropriate. He seems to know his stuff and can be occasionally interesting, but his focus is wavering. He emphasized the importance of attendance.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG332
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He really has high expectations for his students. If you don't do things just the way he likes them, he gives you a lower grade. He's really strict on your thesis on the paper, so even though you've re-written it a million times, it still won't be "right." If you do the reading and complete the assignments (and quizzes) you should be ok.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG400
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

My biggest issue with this class is that the research paper (the last paper of the semester) was worth 75% of our grade. To put that much pressure on one paper was enough to make me crazy. Other than that, there's a lot of reading, and participation matters a lot - so does attendance.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG332
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I love Bernstein. Most of his classes were just discussions on what the reading is, but he is just really funny that his class made my day every time. I definitely recommend this class again. There is quite a bit of reading, and a lot of 5-question quizzes on the reading, but as long as you do the reading, you should be fine.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG385
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Thinks he's Seinfeld, but isn't. On our syllabus, he refused to state the specific chapters he wanted us to be reading at certain points in the semester. Instead, he put only page numbers. Hello, people read different editions, so you have to put chapters on the syllabus, not page numbers. How ridiculous is that. It shows contempt for the students.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG385
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Quality teacher and an informative course. Be advised that the amount of reading is rather heavy and mandatory, but don't let that deter you. Bernstein is sarcastic, but never mean or condescending (contrary to what others reviewers have claimed). He will help you if you are at a loss for your essays, and he grades them leniently. Recommended.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG2411
• 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:

He was average for an english professor but ive definitely taken profesors who wrte more animated in lectures and easier to get along with at different times. He never stuck to the syllabus, either. He crammed too much reading into our class, too.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG385
• 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:

Bernstein wasn't exactly the most organized during the semester in which I took his class. I graduated with a B.A. in English and later a Master's in English from UM-Flint and I took him only once- thankfully. He went on sabatical the following term after I was in his class. He disliked being corrected by students in class. Big ego.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG3332
• 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:

A wonderful proff. He is very entertaining and insightful. you won't do well in his class if you don't read or attend, but other than that he is a very fair grader and keeps the subject interesting, and won't overwhelm you with petty assignments.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG241
• 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:

Professor Bernstein was the worst instructor I've ever had. If he disagrees with your opinion he'll laugh at you in front of the entire class.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Really funny guy. No homework, grades hard on the exams but pretty easy on the papers.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG241
• 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:

Professor Bernstein is an excellent instructor. He has a very dry humor and an interesting self-deprecating wit. He is very open to interpretations and suggestions from the class. He grades hard, but fair. If you want HONEST and constructive criticism for your writing, he does exactly that. Class participation is always a plus.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very informative teacher. Fun and easy-going personality

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG331
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you're worried about grades, just be warned. This guy is the head of the English department. He knows his stuff, and he is a tough grader. His class can be pretty difficult. If you're more concerned about learning, then take his class! He is very knowledgable, and I learned so much from him.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG241
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Berstein is one of the best teachers I have had at UM-Flint. I do not agree with the comment made that he gave someone a poor grade because the did not agree with his interpretation. He is very open to new ideas and opinions and encourages different perspectives. He is also very funny which makes the class even better.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Giving a student a lower grade merely because one does not agree with the interpretation is unprofessional and juvenile. No one is asking to have the professor to like our work, just teach us and we'll learn!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG241
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He reminds me of Ben Stein. I know you were all thinking it. He's an awesome professor, and a good advisor. I like him.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher and very funny! I wish I would have had a chance to take more of his classes!