Karen Lystra - California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA

Professor: Karen Lystra

Department: American Studies

College: California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great professor, extremely inspirational and loves what she does. However, she has ridiculously high expectations. I showed up early for the tests every time and still never had enough time to finish them (considering each question is worth 5% of your grade, you're screwed). Have to read 4 novels over the semester, if you don't read, you don't pass

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Karen will teach you so much about women in American society. She will definitely open your eyes to various issues that affect our society. She requires a good amount of reading which isn't too bad, but her exams are very tough. If you're up for the challenge, take her class. Her class has been my favorite at CSUF

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Ok... she was definitely a good professor in class, I agree with the others. But when I went to ask her for help at office hours, she gave very little help and showed she was in such a hurry with other work that I felt like I was wasting her time. Her tests are REALLY intense. Way too many essay questions for the test for the amount of time given.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: 320
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Lystra is the best professor I have had. She wants all of her students to get an A and goes out of her way to make sure you feel comfortable to go to her office hours. Her classes were always a blast and I looked forward to each one. Attendance is not technically mandatory but you will barely pass if you do not show up. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: AMST401T
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Doctor Lystra has become my favorite professor! My 401T course was a proseminar in Mark Twain, which at first made me weary, but she made me interested! She has a passion for Twain and really wanted the class to succeed. I was dreading the 15 pg research paper, but she gives you the entire semester to complete it. Great course and great professor.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• 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:

She was an interesting professor and her lectures were hilarious because of her enthusiasm. Very challengin though, you must critically think but she def guides you throuwhat she wants you to learn. You must read! if you are too lazy you better suck it up because the class is totally composed of the reading! duh!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• 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:

Lystra is AMAZING! Loved her class. Her class is fun and she is passionate about what she is teaching. You MUST do the reading there is no way around it, if you don't do the reading you're in trouble. If you fail the first midterm, she gives a second optional one that you can take that replaces the grade you got on the first one. Fun class!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: AMST120
• 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:

I took her for Women's Studies and I enjoyed her class, but note that she DOES pick favorites. If you don't raise your hand and speak everyday, she kinda ignores you during class. READ ALL BOOKS. her final is RIDICULOUS. All writing... took me the whole two hour period

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• 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:

I enjoyed going to her class. Learned something new each day. The exams are from her lectures which are crutial and the books. Oh and dont forget to memorize the dates of the american revolution, you might think its easy, but so many people miss it as a random question in the middle of her lecture!!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• 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:

She is a fantastic teacher. One of the best professors I have ever had. She really wants to see you succeed but of course you have to do the work. The final is INTENSE! So many questions to answer in 2 hours. But class is totally worth it! You will learn and not be bored.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• 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 320 women's course was very interesting and exciting! She is so intelligent and funny, and class is always interesting. You DON'T get let out early. Only 2 tests-be sure to read ALL the books. She is a very passionate teacher and definitely knows what she is talking about. One of the BEST courses I've taken at CSU Fullerton!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: AMST120
• 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:

Amazing teacher!!!! She made the subject so interesting that you always wanted to come back to class. Class discussions were encouraged and so much fun! Tests are touch, you have to know id's and essays but overall the class was wonderful!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• 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:

I LOVED her class! her lectures are really interesting and the way she teaches you cant not pay attention... I learned alot in this class and found it really interesting, just don't expect an easy A. Also there is NO way out of doing the reading, you have to read the books cover to cover to pass...

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• 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:

GREAT lectures ridiculous final. grades = 2 tests. Abolsutely no multiple choice ever, which isnt too bad but her essay q's on the final are intense. Even if u read the books the essay q's are really hard. she gives u part of qs b4 but that doesnt make it better. she writes tests that take 4 hrs to take but she expects it in 2. REALLY INTENSE

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: AMST302
• 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:

This class is worth going. All the negative comments are not true. There is reading and make sure you try understanding it while reading. other than that participate it helps the class. There is a midterm extra credit and a final. For the exams make sure you watch the time. You might end up not finishing, or hurrying.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• 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:

By far the best professor I've had in all three years. She is so funny and really cares about her students. I'm taking another class with her just because she is such a great professor. She makes everything interesting!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: AMS320
• 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:

Awesome, i wish I had her brain. She is like the mother I never had, and helped me understand who I was by allowing me to look at who I was rather than the image others potray of me.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• 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 teacher that more more than passionate about the subject, but really cares about how much her students learn, and truly WANTS you to learn. DO the work, Come to class, take careful notes, study hard, and you'll get an A or B. She gives it all to you, but you do have to participate with your brain. Highly recommended class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• 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:

Professor Lystra is extremely passionate about her teaching. You MUST READ the books and, if you WANT a GOOD grade, you MUST attend all classes. Take as much detail notes as possible because she grades based on the amount of details you provide on the exams: one midterm, one final. Overall, very passionate and wonderful professor.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: AMST320
• 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:

She is an amazing teacher. It was my favorite class of the semester. There is a lot of reading, but it isn't difficult. Just make sure you go to class, do the reading, and participate and you'll pass easy. I really recommend the class and Karen.