William Burling - Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Professor: William Burling

Department: English

College: Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG500
• 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:

I sat in on a class with Dr. Burling one spring semester a number of years ago. The course was on Dickens and Trollope primarily. He was great ~ engaging, professional, intelligent, and funny. It was the first time I read much in Marxist criticism and I loved it. I'm sorry to hear he's no longer with us. I would have taken another class with him.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG235
• 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:

Sorely missed. He was the most amazing teacher I ever met. Thank you, WJB.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG350
• 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:

He taught me more about English than I ever knew. Rest in Peace Dr. Burling.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• 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:

I was failing his class going into the third and final test with perfect attendance... he was so helpful when I actually went to meet with him twice. He helped me earn a C in his class and advised me on how to study. I hated him at first but I am so glad I had him! One the most helpful and genuine teachers I have had!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• 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:

Amazing professor. SOOOO knowledgeable and makes his lectures very interesting. You have to work hard but I learned so very much!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG366
• 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:

Best professor I've ever had. Period. His course (SciFi Lit) taught me to think in a new way. If you pay attention, have a genuine interest in learning, and an openness to new ideas, you will thoroughly enjoy his class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• 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:

This was a really difficult class. The reading and lectures weren't too bad and he is actually very interesting. However, he is a brilliant man and expects everyone else in the class to be just as intellegent...the tests are very hard.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Burling teaches completely from his own point of view. The class I was in seems to be labeled under false pretenses. He is, openly, a Communist and teaches only in this way. He is extremely smart but if you ever disagree with him you will be destroyed. Try to avoid his classes especially if you hold to traditional values.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG366
• 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:

Enlightening yet depressing class. Lots of critical theory, if you're into that. I would highly recommend his sci-fi or fantasy class if you can fit it into your schedule. Not too terribly difficult if you can follow Marxist theory at all.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• 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:

Dr. Burling is a great lecturer. I loved going to hear his funny and interesting lectures that make even the most boring subject (old english literature) interesting. He is, by the way, a marxist and will throw in the occasional crazy comment, but other than that, I learned A LOT in this class.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• 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:

I marked him high in clarity because he makes it real clear it what he wants! He wants you to write about what he thinks is right. Nothing else! Also he wants perfection in an in class essay.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• 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:

He's probably a genius, but a drawback is he knows it & therefore there's no class input at all unlike any of my other Eng classes--just lecture, which is funny sometimes, but usually boring.Tests are THE hardest english tests I have ever taken: 60 point essays, plus 20 mult. choice w/ an average % in the 60's-70's! VERY hard, but grades on curve!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG685
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

For the most part, he is ok. He really has no real direction except to inform students they don't know crap. He is nice but he doesn't know the material as well as he thinks he does. At times he's brillant at times bring a pillow. But he will make you think, i think.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

British Literature is already a hard class and this is a hard teacher. I went to every class and I failed the first test, but so did most of the students in my class. His test are extremely difficult. I heard he curved grades at the end of the semster, if that is true I might pass, but if not I am retaking this course next semster.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• 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: N/A

Comment:

This class required alot or reading, but thats what you get in a survey of literature class and he did his best to make it interesting. He was a little unclear on the tests - know your quotes. all in all not a bad class.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• 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:

The worst teacher I have ever had. He tests on thing that we never covered. Do Not Take this class!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

One of the most painful class I have ever taken, but he taught me more about writing than anyone else had...and I was pretty good. If you think you can write, take Burling...he'll show you that you probably don't and make you better than ever.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am usually an A student, but his tests were rediculous. I didn't know what he wanted, his classes were interesting, but not necessarily what he wanted when it came to the tests.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG450
• 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:

classes weren't bad but he gave the worst tests ever. i'm an A student who got a C in his class. don't take his class

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG340
• 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:

Excellent professor. He makes his class unique and fascinating. He has had a great influence on the way that I view literature.