Franz Birgel - Muhlenberg College

Professor: Franz Birgel

Department: Languages

College: Muhlenberg College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: GRM281
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

One of the worst professors I had. Criticizes students' work and is an extremely hard grader. Is not willing to discuss papers in office hours and does not encourage or have faith in his students. Very disorganized. Enjoyed the works discussed, the professor... not so much.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: 1GERMAN1
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Where to begin? Birgel is the best. Great professor, even greater guy. Super approachable. He knows when students can take it and he pushes them to achieve. HIGHLY recommend Franz for any class.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: GRM316
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Horrible, horrible teacher. Knows a lot, but doesn't know how to explain or connect information. Also he's incredibly disrespectful towards students.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: FLM354
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Long class with night screenings, but he gives frequent breaks for air and it's very interesting

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: FYS113
• Grade Received: C-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Birgel is usually a nice man, but is not afraid to call a student out in front of the whole class. He doesn't give exact grades on the papers, so I never knew what my grade was all semester until the end. As long as you keep improving in your papers you should be fine but I thought I improved and still ended up with a C-.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: GERMAN
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Franz is a great guy, but not the best of Professors. He's very funny and knowledgeable, but sometimes looses track. Very little homework and tests in his German class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: FYS113
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This guys is so passionate about the subject matter. One of those professors that you just want to talk about the class with after hours. And he will absolutely stay and chat with you. A great introductory professor. Just don't jerk him and not turn in essays, and the class will be fantastic.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: FYS113
• 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. Birgel's Tarantino FYS was the best class I have taken at Muhlenberg. He is an amazing man with such passion for the subject matter. You learn a tremendous amount about not just writing, but film culture as well. If you are an incoming Freshman be sure to put this class at the top of your list!

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: GRM316
• 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. Birgel is the best professor I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. He has a wealth of knowledge not only in German but in film as well. He keeps long classes interesting and is great fun to talk to during office hours. Do the work and be a nice person and Dr. Birgel will help you reach your academic goals.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: FYS113
• 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:

Dr. Birgel is a great professor. He cares about his students and pushes them to do their best. He is also a very interesting person to talk to, you are guaranteed a good conversation.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: GRM301
• 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:

I took Birgel's class from the elementary level through Con and Comp. His class is really interesting and he is a fair grader. He is so caring, smart, and funny. Loves to talk during office hours, and really cares about progress. He will really try to learn more about you and your interests.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: GRM301
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Endearing although unorganized, Birgel is a nice guy who is highly intelligent and hilarious. If you like German, not just the language but the culture, he's a great professor.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: GERMA101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Intelligent yet picks on certain students for no specific reason. Can be very "mean" and is a tough grader.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: GRM000
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's a nice guy but isn't a great professor. Can't manage time. Unclear about what to study. Dealing with the class gets old quickly. He is funny and can be nice about grading (BB curves!). He also likes to watch movies and use them to teach. Organization and clarity would REALLY REALLY improve his classes.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: GRM101
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Unclear in teaching for elementary students. Expects you to know things that he does not cover.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

birgel is a great teacher- i have to agree with the last few comments. he is always willing to help a student and doesnt like to see people do poorly unlike other professors. grading was fair and its great when he lets you know what exactly is on the quiz/test. yay birgel!

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Awesome class and better teacher. Has fun with class and has a great reputation that he loves to maintain. Great taste in films. One of the smartest professors at this school.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ELEMGERMAN
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

How could you NOT love Birgel? He's a great professor and always keeps class interesting. Yes, it can get frustrating when you don't know the answer but honestly, like someone else said, if you can't "handle the Birgel" this language isn't for you.

Rating # 19

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Birgel is the freakin' man. He spends a lot of the time speaking German, which you may not always understand straight away, but he pantomimes some things for you and it's all part of the learning process. If you can't handle the Birgel then you probably shouldn't be taking German.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ELEMGERMAN
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I'll second on Birgel's effective teaching skills. You're hindering your education when fearing original characters and different teaching approaches. His so-called rants and tangents are more often than not insight on the German culture. Do you want a language alone? Just the grammar? Then you're in it for the credit requirements. Study elsewhere.