James Pletcher - Brooklyn College

Professor: James Pletcher

Department: Classics

College: Brooklyn College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: CLAS2113
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

This was a really interesting class; I read books I've never read before and discovered new authors. We turned in 3 essays, but the topics aren't prescribed - the student chooses. This made it somewhat more difficult but definitely produced better papers. The final was one complicated essay question, so paying attention in class is important.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: CLAS2113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

great class. lots of reading, some papers, a final. more of a lit class than classics, so pletcher assigned a lot of pretty random texts that turned out to be gems

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: CLAS2113
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He's alright, wouldn't fully recommend him to stem majors b/c there are way too much readings. His classics class is basically 3 essays worth 60%,10% attendance, and 30% final(which requires u to read 8 books and write an essay, so you have to memorize a bunch of quotes). If you like literature take him. Otherwise I would take someone else.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is funny and chill. No textbooks per se but you have to read some books like Illiad, etc. I got them from the library. Take good notes and best to attend lectures, some questions on tests are terms he mentions in class that are not in reading. Two midterms and one final. Only main con is that he releases grades so late.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Pletcher is a great lecturer. He does go a bit fast, you need to take a lot of notes (I took honors), and there's a lot of reading, but the material is interesting and Pletcher is extremely well versed in classics (and entertaining). He can be condescending when he disagrees but can also be very nice. I'd say take him, I enjoyed the class.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very interesting and insightful lectures. Delivers the material in an engaging way that's also easy to understand. Attendance isn't mandatory, but his notes are essential to doing well. Two papers, a midterm, and the final are your grade, and they're all fair in difficulty. Only downside is there's a lot of reading. But overall, highly recommended.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great professor. Lectures are optional as he doesn't take attendance but they're informative and entertaining. There's alot of reading but that's the nature of the classical literature. Exams are easy if you've done the readings and attended the lectures.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

he's hilarious, very sweet and lectures are actually super entertaining. there are three test and one essay, so its either really easy or really hard to do the work. he gives a lot of info u cant find by simply reading books but are on tests-- and reading is actually super important! seriously loved the class, didn't attend every time but did well

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

If you EVER get the chance to take Pletcher please do. Envelops you in his lectures. Funny at times. Some would think taking a class that focuses on Greek Lit to be boring but Pletcher makes the class very interesting. He answers all questions, goes in depth about readings and is overall awesome. Read/Take notes and you'll get an A. 10/10 prof.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1100
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There's tons of books to read but enjoy reading them. Lectures are interesting. Exams are based on notes so must come to class and take notes. 2 paper and give enough time to submit. It's a great class!

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Attending lectures and taking good notes is key to passing and excelling in this class. He's very passionate about the books we've read so class is always interesting.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He is a good professor, tests are fairly easy. A LOT OF READING but you'll be fine with the spark/cliff notes (as long as you also go to class. Going to class is recommended but not mandetory. Take him!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: CLASSICS11
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Ridiculous is all i have to say. A whole bunch of bologna and I don't get how people are so into these books. They must have a lot of time on their hands. Or they aren't science majors. I def don't have the time for these bs stories that I'm never going to think back to in the future. Other than that, good professor. Just not into the class itself

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I will give him credit for being an entertaining lecturer. But he doesn't encourage students to think independently about the text. He is not accessible outside of class.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: CORC3115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Took Con,Cop,Mark class as reqrment in Fall 2015. Hard with all the reading but AMAZING class and teacher. This class is an eye opener. Didn't do ALL the readings but I would recommend to do so. *Write down everything he says/writes on board*. DO NOT skip a class, trust me. Get a peers # from day one just in case. Take the class!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

if your not really interested in the subject he is the perfect professor because he explains things clearly and uses todays issues to expound on it helps that he is really funny

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Have him right now; come to class, take good notes, Guarantee you'll get at least a B if you pay attention to his lectures. Everything he says is useful and he's pretty funny. His tests are fair, and tests mainly on the readings and his lecture. I'm not even interested in classics but he makes it engaging and interesting. Take him for classics.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• 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 him last spring. He is the best if you are not there to just waste time. Yes he makes you read quiet a bit, but the material is interesting. Lecture wise he is the BEST. Take notes, pay attention, read the assignments and you are guaranteed a good grade in this class. He also has a good sense of humor. You will enjoy. Taking him again NOW. :)

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: CLASS3221
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

so I've had Pletcher twice now and I think he's awesome. But I also think he should realize that most students are taking more than twelve credits and work simultaneously, point being he assigns A LOT of reading. Definitely pay attention to the vocab he uses because he'll test you on it later. Also he has great taste in movies and music

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: CLAS1110
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He definitely knows his stuff but he is a little arrogant. He's not very clear unless you ask for clarification and sometimes he's made some students feel dumb. He gives a lot of reading and expects a lot but you can definitely get by off of spark notes.