N. C. Christoper Couch - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Professor: N. C. Christoper Couch

Department: Literature

College: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: COMPLIT393
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

awful awful awful!!! did not show up for midterm, had us write 2 essays with no direction and gives 0 explanation of movies. He also leaves during screening and has no open dialogue with students or TA.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: COMPLIT335
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Only three assessments: one midterm, one final, one paper. Lots of interesting readings assigned, but you'll decide if you need to read them all by the midterm. Attendance is "mandatory" but the professor and TAs never figured out a way to actually record it. They also do not know how to use Moodle, haven't published grades in spire a week later.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: COMPL335
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I took this class Fall 2015. One of the best classes I've ever been in. Try to get into is discussion. He's an extremely genuine guy who really wants you to learn. If you don't mind researching a few comics and writing a paper on them then you should be golden. Would take again.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: COMPLIT335
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class as a gen ed thinking it would be an easy A. I attended every class to take notes on everything he said (b/c there are no words on the PowerPoints-- just pictures of comics). Grading for the class consists of 2 exams, a 10 page paper, and class attendance. Avoid this class if you have no interest in comics and only need a gen ed.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: COMPLIT336
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This class was the biggest disappointment of the semester. I was very hopeful about Prof. Couch because I had heard really nice things, but he simply doesn't give a damn. He either canceled classes or invited guests instead giving lectures. I haven't learned anything from this class and don't recommend Prof. Couch to anyone at all.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: COMPLIT336
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I took his International Graphic Novel class and loved it! Chris Couch is extremely passionate about his field and he makes it known in lectures. There's very little work involved, just reading the graphic novels, the exams and a final paper. It was a good choice for a gen-ed, I highly recommend it.

Rating # 7

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

He teaches this class directed towards avid comics fans, so for those taking it as a gen-ed it is an absolute drag. With that said, if you suffer through the lectures you should be rewarded with an easy A. However it's entirely dependent on if you get an easy TA, as they are who grade everything. 2 exams and one 10 page paper are all the class is.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: COMPLIT335
• Grade Received: C+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Too much reading for a gen-ed, and had a to page paper due at the end of the semester, which is not clearly explained, discussed in class, and no paperwork is given out about it. No help on the paper, I asked, just had to figure it out myself. TA does most of the grading for the class. Couch is uninterested in his students.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: COMPLIT335
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you can suffer through the dull lectures, you'll be rewarded with an easy A. Open note midterm and final, basically write your essay ahead of time and copy it into the test booklet. Two essays all year. Great choice in GenEd. Couch's speech impediment might drive you nuts though. Consider watching Breaking Bad during class to pass the time.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: COMPLIT335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Class is easy, if you put forth an iota of effort you should do fine. Professor does mumble and go off on tangents, but those are usually entertaining. One drawback is that this professor is notably bad at responding to email, even though they are pertinent and important. I understand profs are bad at returning emails, but this is noteworthy.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CL335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Ehhh. This class wasn't that great. Lectures were painfully boring. Professor is caring and fair but often mumbles and goes off on tangents. TAs entirely responsible for your grade and are very reasonable/friendly if you get to know them. If you don't have an interest in comics and want this as a gen ed, I suggest looking elsewhere.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: COMPL391A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Easy class, but he mumbles, oral lecture, you watch cartoons or a documentary on cartoons for 2 hours, 1 10 page essay for the semester on your topic on animation of choice. Midterm and final are easy, they are in class essays where the class creates the questions to the exam, open notes and textbook. Attendance is mandatory.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: COMPL335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

He is the greatest. Extremely passionate, always interested to hear what students have to say, gets very into his lectures. Genuine guy and great TA's - both he and the TA's are incredibly understand, knowledgable, and helpful. TAKE THIS CLASS - ONE OF MY FAVORITES - I knew nothing about comics and thoroughly enjoyed my time and every lecture

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: COMPL335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Chris Couch is a very good professor. Unfortunately, he does mumble, so it's good to sit close to the front in lecture, but he clearly knows a TON about comics and wants to help all his students do well. I learned more about history and culture in his class than in a lot of history courses I've had. It's definitely worth taking a class with Chris.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: COMPL391A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Chris Couch does take a bit of time to acclimate to. If you can get past the slight awkwardness that he initially presents, you will find that he is one of the most wonderful professors you'll ever have. He is SO dedicated to his students. Couldn't ask for a better professor.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: COMPL133
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Exactly what I expected the course to be. If you can't pull off an A in this class, you're probably going to have trouble in your others...

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: COMPL335
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Chris Couch is my favorite professor ever. He DOES take some getting used to. He mumbles a bit and stumbles over he words sometimes but if you get to know him a bit, he's incredibly receptive and lovely. Most classes of his require a 10 page final paper. Start early - it's not as easy as you think it will be. Trust me.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: SCIFI130
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This is such an easy class. If you want an easy A without doing any work, take this class.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: COMP160
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Couch talks very fast and it's sometimes hard to take in his key points. However, he is VERY knowledgeable on all the topics he covers. Only 3 grades in the class, 2 in class essays for the midterm/final and a 10 page paper. You can use the textbooks on the midterm and final so I recommend picking them up, they do help.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENLIT133
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Intro to SciFi is not his forte - mumbling, terrible lectures that are pointless. Just read the books on your own time, show up to class to sign your name, then leave. But I can only speak for this class - apparently, his other classes (comic books) are phenomenal. I got nothing out of his SciFi class, only good for filling like, three geneds.