Victor Strandberg - Duke University, Durham, NC

Professor: Victor Strandberg

Department: English

College: Duke University, Durham, NC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG271
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Inspirational man! Lectures were spent going through the material we read and highlighting his takeaways and themes. His tests were primarily based on what was said in lecture, but my favorite thing about him was meeting after class over a snack to go through the readings for all interpretations. Cares a lot about his students and is very patient.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG271
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor's lectures are deep and insightful. The books are covered very fast, so it's important to stay on track with readings. Record lectures and make good notes since tests are based on what's discussed. Clear and objective grading. A is achievable if you work hard and manage time well.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH269
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Strandberg's lectures are legendary. Detailed analysis of the books, delivered in his trademark voice of God. Class is entirely test based, memorize what he says in lectures and you're guaranteed an A. You don't have to actually read anything. Go to class and take notes, he goes pretty fast.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG271
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Lectures were very interesting. Gives a lot of detailed analysis, both on the texts and on the authors and backgrounds. Tests were based entirely on his personal analysis of the text, but were also objectively graded. He goes very quickly, memorize what he says in lecture and you're guaranteed an A. You even don't have to actually read.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG290
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Strandberg is incredibly knowledgable on all of the authors he selects and can deliver a very engaging lecture. However be prepared to sit back and listen, take exams, and read. My criticism is that Victor doesn't encourage any critical engagement between students and the texts -- lectures only -- if you're looking for feedback, I'd pass.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG154AMLIT
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I love Strandberg so much. I'm not an English major, and I was so inspired by his lectures and the information he includes outside of the book. One of my favorite Duke classes, I highly highly recommend it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG271
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

There should be no question: take Strandberg's class. Whatever he is teaching, take it. The man is a phenomenal professor and lecturer. Tests are based exactly on what he says in class. Write down exactly what he says and memorize it and you will get an A. If nothing else, the man has a legendary voice.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG276
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Strandberg is legendary. Take his class and you won't regret it. Best advice: read as much as you can in advance because he moves super quickly. If you take notes in class you're pretty much guaranteed an A. Plus his wonderful sonorous voice is a treat to listen to.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG271
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: N/A
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

If you do the reading and go to class, expect an easy A. Class notes are the most important for the tests as most questions are based of that and the books plot. The professor is a legend, 80 years old and going strong.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH269
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Professor Strandberg is the best. This is my third class I've taken with him and I am planning to take another. His lectures are super easy, just show up, take notes & look through your notes before tests and you'll do fine. No essays for lectures. The seminars have essays but hes an easy grader so don't worry about it.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: 269
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Phenomenal Professor- however tests are objective. If you don't have a good memory- not the class for you! You have to remember specifics about the books and his specific analysis. There's only one optional term paper. He goes very fast and you cannot miss a class, however great readings and a passionate professor!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG184S
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Strandberg is a sweetheart. He's very interesting and knows lots of random facts about everything - which keeps his class entertaining. The workload wasn't too heavy - his tests are VERY specific and related to what he says in class. If you put the effort in, he isn't too harsh a grader on papers. His final was pass/fail!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG154
• 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:

Strandberg is da man. His exams are in objective short-answer format, so be sure to bring a laptop and type everything he says to study later. One of my favorite classes last semester. Great for pre-meds/science majors. Read the books in advance--you'll appreciate it later.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG155
• 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:

Strandberg is the most interesting professor I've had in 4 years at Duke. He's not easy, but if you take notes and pay attention you shouldn't do worse than a B, and you could do better. But his lecture style and breadth of knowledge on his topics are extremely impressive, he cares about his students, and he has the Voice of God. Seriously.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG152
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you take notes during his class you will do fine. Taking one of his classes should be done if you enjoy the material and reading in general.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG161
• 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:

I also took his early American lit class and will be taking his 20th century American lit class. Amazing voice, great lecturer with a thorough knowledge of the topic. Seminar class didn't have much student participation, but it was still an amazing class. A great teacher if you want to approach a topic you normally find difficult.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG161
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

His opinions on literature are interested and textually based. A smart and kind old professor, his exams are based solely on facts from the books and his lectures so the course should be an easy A if you have a good memory.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG155
• 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:

Tests based on lectures and reading. Basically tested on random facts from in the books and what he says about them in lecture. Not too hard if you really pay attention during lecture, do the reading and study- but all of these things are necessary for doing well. Have to meet with him in his office and he videos you saying your name-creepy.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG155
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Strandberg has possibly the coolest speaking voice I have ever heard. I enjoyed going to class just so I could listen to him speak. Classes were the same every day - just listen to him talk. Tests were pretty useless, quizzing you on random facts from the book. I highly recommend writing the optional paper. Good class for non-English majors.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG154
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

The tests can be tricky, but if you read the books, take good notes, and study, you should be fine. Lecture is very important, so don't miss it. He is a great lecturer who will talk about some very interesting ideas. Very good class.