Phyllis Ryder - George Washington University, Washington, DC

Professor: Phyllis Ryder

Department: Writing

College: George Washington University, Washington, DC

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ryder is caring, intelligent, and genuinely cares about her students as human beings. The course I took with her was rigorous but rewarding. Treat her and her assignments with respect and engagement and you will have an amazing semester. I didn't mind how difficult the course was because I learned so much. She gives great feedback!

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

this is by far the most intense UW class that GW offers. took it as part of civic house and while it was challenging and I struggled at times, i really believe I grew and improved as a writer. offers extra credit, she understands that the course is difficult. just grind through and you can get an A.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took "writing for social change" because of Civic House Amazing professor, especially for future HSSJ or Sociology majors. Really involved in social issues and knows the field well. Class is mostly based on your big essay, so make it count. Try to find a topic where you can contribute to the scholarship, in a niche area. Has a quirky style.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

She is knowledgeable about the subject she teaches and she is such a sweet woman! However, she is a tough grader. As long as you put in tremendous effort, participate in class, and do the assignments, you can pull off an A-/B+. If I could take her again, I would!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was my hardest class of the semester. Very inspirational and knowledgeable teacher, but challenging. She is a tough grader, but if you do the weekly assignments, they will bring your grade up if your essay grades aren't very good.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ryder is a great professor. If I had used my time better for the class, I would have done so much better. If you can get A's on everything in her class, then you are definitely going to Stanford, UC Berkeley, or UCLA for your grad school.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• 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:

Dr. Ryder is the best professor you will take freshman year. The UW has a service learning requirement but it is the most rewarding class because you really learn from the writing you are doing. You are going into the community and using those experiences to help you write your essay! She is such a great women and will always be there for you.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ryder is an incredibly inspiring woman. Taking her class as a freshman was the best thing that could have happened to me. Although the workload was often rigorous and stressful, completing this course was SO rewarding, and I have never cared more about my writing. Not an easy A, but what you learn from her WILL pay off for years to come.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ryder is a fine professor. However, she grades a little too harshly and has unclear guidelines. I would not take this class again. It is a lot of work and she is not very helpful.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ryder is the best. She is incredibly humble and interested in how your writing and understanding of community service develops. She will be your biggest fan if you put in an effort. Take this class!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• 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:

Dr Ryder is my favorite professor that I've had (I'm also writing this after my first semester, but I doubt it'll change). You learn a lot in her class. She does grade hard, but I think meeting with her separately to discuss ideas is a really good idea. Friday classes are often cancelled, but you make up all that time and more through service.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• 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:

I loved this class. Thought the rigor of wiring was intense at times, the topics were very interesting, mostly because you had a lot of freedom. She does grade hard, but she is always available for meetings outside of class. Also with writing for social change there are very few friday classes which is very nice.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ryder is an amazing professor, and her UW class on Writing for Social Change is a great one to do as a freshman especially because its service learning. I learned a lot about DC and was able to become integrated into the city. Having said that, it is VERY work intensive and requires that you write according to her style. Tough class but fun too

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Ryder is an incredibly intelligent and compassionate woman and professor. Her service learning UW was a great introduction to DC and college. She grades harshly, but provides lots of support for you to improve. It is easy finding something that interests you in her class. Befriend her and she will open many doors and provide great recs!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: UW1002
• 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:

Ryder overall is nice and understanding. This class was a lot of work due to the service learning component. It was worth it, but make sure you're comfortable going to BAD neighborhoods in DC. She grades pretty harshly, and you will have to buy a lot of unnecessary textbooks. In retrospect I would have taken another UW, but this class wasn't awful.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Ryder was an amazing professor. She teaches you time management, writing for deadlines, and how to research well - skills that have helped me in all of my classes. If you work hard, there's no reason you shouldn't get an A.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

As with any UW this one required a lot of work. Writing for social change had us working with community partners though so all of the papers had a meaning. The assigned blog posts were a bit redundant and she was a hard grader but if you made her corrections from your drafts/workshops you'd do well.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• 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:

This class was the highlight of my first semester at GW. Her course is a lot of work, sometimes too much busy work with small memos and blogs but it is all worth it. Taught me more than I could ever imagine. Work hard and you'll get a good grade. Turn things in on time and you'll be solid! TAKE THIS CLASS.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• 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:

Ryder was the best teacher I ever had in terms of writing courses. The workload is heavy, but she is a lenient grader if you follow her direction. She has conferences and workshops to really help you improve as a writer - she'll whip you into shape!

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: UW1020
• 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:

Professor Ryder teaches one of the most rewarding courses taught at this University. I am extremely satisfied with this class. Honestly, I think she is one of the best professors at this university. I wouldn't say that her class is an "Easy A" in the least, but with some effort, you can definitely succeed.