Nicole Clifton - Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

Professor: Nicole Clifton

Department: English

College: Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENGL405
• 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 Clifton is funny and her lectures are fascinating. That said, hoo boy prepare to read! There is a LOT of reading in this class. There are many small papers throughout the semester, but they aren't terribly hard. Tough grader but gives decent feedback. Very flexible and willing to work with you. Overall what I'd expect from a 400 course.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL420
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

You will have to read your textbook to understand the class, but only because this class is mostly discussion based. However, she is so much fun! She brings the readings to life in her classroom! She is so passionate about teaching. She is very willing to help her students out, and goes the extra mile for them. I would 100% recommend her.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGL420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Love her as a person and teacher. Not the biggest fan of her assignments. The 50 word sentences can end up causing unnecessary stress. But she is extremely helpful and willing to work with you to help you succeed. She expects a lot from her students.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGL420
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Knows her stuff. Warms up to the class after the first few meetings. Last paper was essentially a creative research project, which was a blast writing, and when I had questions she was there to help. Dry, off kilter humor abound.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: 406
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Her Chaucer class should be renamed Middle English grammar. Her grading policies are unclear and she takes away points without any explanation. Her class is extremely boring and we never got through the material we were supposed to because she always got distracted. The only decent part was learning to write with quills.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL420
• 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:

Yes, she expects a lot of you, but she is excellent. While she may seem gruff, if you go and talk to her she will gladly help. Demanding but excellent professor. What I expect from a 400 level course.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL420
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Her teaching style is a bit harsh and abrasive. The workload wasn't too bad, though. There were three two-page papers, although these didn't count for much of the final grade. There were two translation quizzes (Middle English) and a large quantity of in-class assignments and homework assignments. Sitting in class was the worst part, good luck.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL420
• 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:

At first she's intimidating then she becomes a great teacher. Super helpful when you need help on the papers. Strict grader but explains why. Arthurian Lit is not an easy class, but it's a rewarding one and worth taking.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENGL406
• 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:

Professor Clifton was incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely passionate about the subject. She made the class a lot more fun than I had expected it to be, and I was happy with the level of work and how she graded. Highly recommended.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL406
• 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:

Prof. Clifton is one of the best @ NIU. Lectures and class discussions are quite enjoyable, and she is very helpful as well. I woould definitely take another course with this professor.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG406
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I dropped after 2 days of class. She requires you learn early English, and are able to speak it well, because the text is a non-translated version. "Hoo R Too Kaled" or in English, "Who are you".

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGL400
• 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:

Clifton is one of the most knowledgeable in her field - if you're at all interested in Arthurian literature, she's the one for you. She's nice and helpful as well. She also talks on the level of the students, and teaches very clearly. Discussion is always stimulating. She must have been good-looking in her youth because she is quite hot even now.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL406
• 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:

She's a tough professor teaching a tough course, but she's fair. I've managed to get As on papers because I put a lot of time into the readings - not because I'm one of her favorites (I rarely speak in class). She may be come off as aloof, but she seems to helpful if you show her you're willing to do the work -- and there's a lot of it.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL406
• 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 cannot recommend this professor more highly--she REALLY knows her stuff. Taking this class, you will not only become a Middle English forest ranger, but also will read and write better in general. One of my all-time favorites. Thanks!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Difficult class, but hey, it's Senior level... whaddaya expect? Prof. Clifton knows the subject well and transfers her knowlege effectively. Be prepared to work. Your grade is what you earn. I learned a ton of stuff about King Arthur I hadn't expected.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I don't see how anyone could write good review about Clifton.Yeah, she definately knows her****, but she is otherwise boring in an already boring class.She grades VERY unjustly and treats students as though they were babies by asking if they know how to write and cite a paper (it's a 400-level ****ing English class!).Please,don't take this class!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGL400
• 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:

She knows her field inside and out, and she is a very effective lecturer. Her writing assignments are difficult, but they make you really think about the topic. She is very fair in her grading. Her syllabus pretty much tells you exactly what to expect for your paper grades. I would definitely recommend Arthurian Lit. from her.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG406
• 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:

Never thought I'd be interested in Chaucer before this class, but Clifton helped me realize what Chaucer was all about. The subject material is extremely hard. Only way to pass this class is by going to office hours to get help. If you do, you will come out in the end truly appreciating Chaucer while recieving a good grade.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG406
• 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:

Her level of knowledge is impressive, even for a professor. If you're prepared to work your ass off, you'll learn a lot. She forces you to elevate the quality of your writing. Sometimes a bit unclear. She seems aloof, but she is very helpful if you see her in person. Interesting sense of humor.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGL200
• 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:

Her grading system is so unclear and unfair. I have never been so dissatisfied with a class/professor at northern. She made me consider transferring majors; my GPA is still trying to recover.