Bill Larsen - University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Professor: Bill Larsen

Department: English

College: University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CNST365
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Hilarious. Good sense of humor and has a tough exterior but it's all an appearance. Easy to get on his good side..

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG281
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I love this man. He is a great person and it is amazing how much he cares about his students and the material. The class itself, however, is very difficult. A lot tougher than you would imagine. The midterm and especially the final are a grind. He is hilarious and gives great lectures. He knows more about movies than anyone I've ever met.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CIN281
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Larsen is one of the most New York guys I've ever met; he certainly doesn't have that southern gentility. His stereotypically northern bluntness may strike some as rudeness. But he is a hilarious prof that knows his stuff and will make any lecture interesting. His tests are hard and pedantic, but the class is doable. Take him and be entertained

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CNST281
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Larsen was a lot of the reason I added a Cinema Studies major. He can be a tough pill to swallow sometimes, but he really cares about his students. He just has a weird way of showing it sometimes. Respect him, and he'll respect you right back in my opinion. Study the book and study the movies, and you'll do fine in his class. Would recommend.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG365
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

If you come into the class thinking it's going to be easy and you can just skip and not do the work, think again. He is one of the few teachers to be known to speak his mind. However, that being said, he is one of the best professors i've had at UTK. He is super dedicated to screenwriting and has a passion for it that most do not.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CNST281
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely the best professor I have had at UT. He can seem really intimidating at first, but after a few weeks you get used to it. He gives feed back on every quiz, test, and paper you'll have, and it will always be amazing and helpful.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG365
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Went into this class with no idea what to expect, but I loved it. It's different than your average english class, and Dr. Larsen made it enjoyable. He's hilarious, but has a very dry sense of humor, if you're into that. He doesn't assign grades until the very end, but he gives a ton of feedback and will even meet with you one-on-one.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CIN281
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

By far the best professor I've had at Tennessee. Every class he teaches with enthusiasm and a passion for both teaching and cinema. His tests are designed to challenging but not impossible if you've prepared. His biggest pet peeve is students that don't try. If you show a genuine effort you will be rewarded. Wish other professors cared as much.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CNST281
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Took the class as a GenEd requirement hoping to get an easy A. This class was definitely not an easy A, but definitely possible. Once you understand the structure (lecture, then movie, then quiz/analysis) things get a lot easier and you can anticipate the quiz questions for the week. Very knowledgeable prof. and I personally found him pretty funny.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CMST281
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Larsen is the greatest prof I've ever had. He may seem intimidating at first but it's just his dry humor which is great and he cares so much about students doing well and learning something. He responds to every quiz and paper. Lots of work but he makes you want to do well. Wasn't my major/minor but class was always interesting. TAKE HIM

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CNST281
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Larsen is one of the most passionate teachers I've ever had! His love for films is obvious when he teaches and makes lectures really fun. He is super sarcastic and funny and will make you excited to go to class.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CNST281
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Hooooly smokes, this is a tough class. If you're looking for an easy arts and humanities prereq and want this to fulfill it, look elsewhere. Larsen is a hilarious prof and inspires you in many ways. There are weekly quizzes and films you analyze, and the papers are esp. tough. But if you have a love for films, TAKE THIS COURSE!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 334
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Seriously the best professor I've had. As far as I'm concerned, the best professor at UT. Don't get me wrong, his classes are challenging, and so are his tests-- but so worth it, I swear. He genuinely cares. And he's funny. Take the class. Take it!!

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CNST281
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Larsen was honestly a great professor. His class was fun (but be prepared for his rather dry humor) and was really engaging. Be warned that the only exams are the midterm and the final, and studying for the final will make you want to die.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL281
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I took this class as an filler elective class. That was a mistake. This class was not for that at all. If you care about film then sure it's not too bad, but if you are looking for some credits, look elsewhere. The lectures weren't bad and the assignments weren't too hard, however the tests were just mean. Try and stay on his good side too.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG334
• 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:

Dr. Larsen is a great teacher. He's funny, and he really does care if you learn. He'll help you out when you need it, and his discussion sessions are a hoot and a holler. Pay attention in class (READ THE BOOK!), take good notes, and watch the films. The tests sometimes test the little details of the films, but they weren't hard. Take this class!

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CNST334
• 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:

Dr. Larsen is the best teacher I've had in school so far. He cares and puts more time into his job than anyone I've ever had. Take him multiple times if you get the chance. If you don't get the chance, make time. HELL-O.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CNST281
• 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:

Probably my favorite professor I've had at UT. It's clear from the moment the class starts that he loves what he does. He really does care about whether or not you're learning. He's also one of the few professors who gives great feedback on papers - he wants you to improve. I would definitely recommend.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL365
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Didn't really get angry except for a couple times. Perhaps that was because it was a summer session. I have to say, while I enjoyed the class, I'm not sure if I fully fully understood screenplay formatting, but it was enjoyable. Fine for a creative writing credit.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG281
• 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:

For the love of God take this man's film class. He is an amazing teacher, fun to talk with, engaging, and will make you a better writer. He's one of the first teachers in college that has really challenged me to be a better thinker, student, and person. TAKE THIS GUY. SERIOUSLY.