Marcus Cafagna - Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Professor: Marcus Cafagna

Department: English

College: Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Thought this class would be difficult going in but I ended up really enjoying it. He makes the class interesting and can be funny. Opportunities for extra credit, no tests, and really easy to get a good grade.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG503
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

• For Credit: No
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Knows his stuff but is rather boring. Also a soft speaker so it can be hard to hear him.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Is very upfront about the assignments and soft with expectations. Show up to class and put some effort into the assignments and you will be fine. Attendance is heavily weighted into your grade. If you skip class, you'll fail.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's nice, but he never has anything good to say about your poetry. It HAS to be written his way (despite there being about half a dozen universally accepted meter/metres for English poetry). Don't take this class in the morning as he is one of the most boring professors I have ever taken in my college career.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: Yes
• Would Take Again: No
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

Poetry has to be written his way, too traditional, not a very exciting individual.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great instructor

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

• For Credit: Yes
• Textbook Used: No
• Would Take Again: Yes
• Attendance: Not Mandatory

Comment:

LOVED this class! Easy workload you can skip class. Hes awesome

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher. You can tell that he cares about his students and will work with you if you show that you care about the class. Lectures can be a little dry. For creative writing (poetry), the grade is based off participation and your revisions based on class discussion, so don't be afraid to be graded on ability. Really interesting, learned a lot!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He's a really cool dude and even looks like Eric Estrada. He really cares about his class and wants everyone to succeed in writing poetry. Go to class, pay attention, write poems, improve yourself. Great class for learning how to be creative

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG303
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Marcus offers a lot of constructive criticism. His feedback is very helpful for improving your writing. He makes you think about writing in a different way and on a different level. 10/10 would recommend. I am taking ENG 503 with him and it is very helpful.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Really easy class because all you are graded on is poems and workshop. Basically just show up and try a little. His lectures are kind of boring if you aren't in to the topic, he's a bit redundant. But he's passionate and knows what he's talking about and usually got done early. I would recommend him.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

No tests. Some extra credit. TIP: During Workshop you NEED to participate.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Took ENG203 for my Gen. Ed., and because it slightly interested me. He really changed my view on poetry and how intriguing it can be. About 80% of the class is free-verse poetry (you can write in whatever style you want), and as long as you take his critiques seriously and take them towards your revisions, you'll love the class. -TW

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Hard to stay focused or awake in lecture since he does most of the talking. Tests are easy to memorize, but little info from notes are used. Often rambled on past the time we were supposed to go. Seems like a nice guy, just didn't really get much from class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG562
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is so passionate about poetry. I did not enjoy poetry when I entered into this clas.. Now I love it. He knows that not everyone is a poet, and will help you if you're not. Great teacher!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG503
• 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:

Marcus helps you learn how to be succinct, and challenges you to write not only what you know, but write it in such a way that lets others experience it with you. He can be difficult, but if you listen to him, you'll improve. There is a reason they put him in charge of the department when I was there. :D

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you like poetry then you will be fine. He tells you how HE wants it though and if it isn't like that you have to really work hard on your poems and even start over at times. It was very frustrating and I eventually just dropped the class.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: WRIT101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I took his poetry classes in 1998 and 1999. He taught me how to develop my voice and express myself in new ways. He also helped me to focus in and produce poetry that showcases a "slice of life" instead of trying to tackle too much at once. Great professor. Great class. Wonderful advice that will stay with you.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG558
• 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:

Marcus is a great teacher. Passionate about the subject and extremely knowledgeable, he is always interested to hear what others think. If you are interested in poetry, take his class. If you aren't, take it anyway and you soon will be.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG203
• 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:

Cafagna knows poetry and knows how to teach it. His assignments can be challenging, but he is VERY helpful, and if you try, you will undoubtedly produce poetry you never thought you were capable of writing. Workshopping can be a hassle, as he is quite opinionated, but just pay attention and you will learn how he thinks.