Martin Espada - University of Massachusetts,Amherst, MA

Professor: Martin Espada

Department: English

College: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH356
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Not much reading, doesn't waste time, focuses on work shopping pieces & in class creative writing. Brought in a guest poet for a day, super inspirational. As long as you try you should get a good grade. Down to earth. Good feedback. Helps you find your voice.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG491Z
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Espada is definitely talented and brilliant, but he toots his own horn every chance he can get. We get it. You're a poet. Cool. It's a good class, but only if you can raise your hand in class and can get him to stop talking about himself long enough..

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG47
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This man is probably the most pompous and egotistical person I've ever met. His poetry pretends to be "bread" for the people, but it is really bread for himself. His social justice is pure rhetoric. This vile person should not be allowed to teach. Getting an A in his course is as easy as agreeing with his petty worldview, and kissing his a**.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG497
• 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 learned an incredible amount from this man. He is a fabulous resource. He is also bullheaded and does not really listen to what students are saying if they even slightly disagree with him. Take a class with him--but don't waste your time trying to debate with him.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG356
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took a poetry-writing seminar with Martin and found him very interested in his students' work, generous with both criticism and praise, and consistently helpful. Plus he's cute and fuzzy.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: POETR497
• 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:

Took poetry of the political imagination. He's excellent, no complaints at all; one of the best at Umass.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG491
• 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:

As many people have said, Espada sadly has a HUGE ego - despite his accomplishments and knowledge of Neruda, this pompousness and total lack of interest in other peoples ideas will make you regret signing on for the semester....

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG356
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's not a very good teacher. He's totally full of himself and only cares about the students who are willing to sing his praises. He's not even that great of a poet, in my humble opion.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LATINOPOETS
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This dude sucks. . . His poetry is good, but his arrogance and lack of open mindedness towards anyone elses opinion on poetry is staggering. Tough to say whether his classes are worth it or not. If you can be humble enough to look past his grandiosity, pomp and self importance than the material is absolutely incredible.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: 2003
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

one of the best professor at umass. take his class at any cost. neruda in trans. rocks.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG491
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Good teacher. Good poet.

Rating # 12

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Class consists of workshop and weekly writing prompts. He really knows his stuff and opens your mind. He cares about his students. Do what you're supposed to, and you'll get an A. You're sure to come out of his class a better writer. He's awesome!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: POETRYWRITING
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

he's funny.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: POETRY
• 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:

i took both latino poetry and neruda. espada's ego is huge, but it is well earned. his classes are well organized, and the three writing assignments make up all of the work. it is possible to get an easy A while still learning a lot.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG786
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

i've never had a more self-impressed, boorish, and boring professor.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: 491
• 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:

Pretty good. He had a vast knowledge of Neruda, but he let his groupies get in the way of his teaching.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: NERUDAETC
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took 3 w/Martin and loved 'em. The Neruda class changed my understanding of how to be a poet. He opened my eyes to injustice in the world and my own attitudes. He could probably be gentler with students, but overall Martin is the hotness. Pa'lante.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

No Comments

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: 491C
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Espada is a great lecturer but I think his accomplishments have blown up his head. He imposes his ideas on students overly. I don't think poetry should be lectured and not interpretative. You will learn a lot, but you won't learn to think for yourself.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: 419B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Highly knowledable and consequently interesting lecturer. Very supportive.