Mark Axelrod - Chapman University

Professor: Mark Axelrod

Department: English

College: Chapman University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Mark Axelrod seems to be a good guy, but he literally doesn't teach you anything. He expects you to know exactly how to write a screenplay before you come to that class, and if you don't, you'll fail. It's simple. Also, be sure you don't skip class -- even once. He'll fail you for that too. Overall, wouldn't recommend this class at all.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Hasn't a clue how to teach and takes this frustration out on his students. Might know his subject matter but doesn't know how to communicate it. Shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a classroom. I've had him three times (at the graduate level) and each time it was a waste of time and money (even in courses where I received an "A").

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG503
• Grade Received: 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:

I had Dr. Axelrod half a dozen times. He IS tough, but the low ratings are unfair. I learned a great deal because I WORKED my ass off. He expects no less. Especially in undergrad 300-400 classes, non-majors mistake his passion for disdain. That is their fault, not his. In graduate studies, the bar is even higher. Stop whining and do the work!

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG509
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

This is my second class with Axelrod. The workload was tough, but not as intense in this class. He's still slightly intimidating, but in the way that challenges you to be better. I think most of the complaints here as just a result of his gruff demeanor, and ability to catch every mistake in your essay. Nice guy otherwise. Would take again.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG546
• 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:

Tons of work. Don't take if you're not at peace with writing 50+ pages over the semester, and reading much more than that in books. Not a tyrant though, just intimidating. Smartest man I've ever met. Scary, only because if there's a flaw in your logic, you know he already knows about it. Learned more here than all of undergrad. Would recommend.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG221
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Extremely heavy workload. 2 papers a week, he grades them fairly but gives absolutely zero helpful comments. Only criticizes, never in a constructive way. Classes are based around discussion, which can be good but he sometimes will randomly attack students based on their papers. I can see the appeal but was very disappointed personally.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG244
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Harsh grading and almost no useful feedback. Discussions aren't that bad, but the workload is overwhelming.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG228
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Not helpful, gets very defensive if you ask for help. Takes it as though you are saying something against him as a professor if you need help. Can speak very rudely in emails and in tutorials; almost not professional or helpful, just insulting. Worst choice I ever made in taking a class.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG445
• 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:

Summer - Major Authors- Ended class early daily, canceled many classes, very little useful feedback ("be more critical"), LOTS of work (five 5 page essays due within a week and a half), reads mostly from his own writings, does not give near enough historical background on the author but expects you to know it anyway.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG501
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Great example of an incredibly intelligent person who doesn't have a clue how to teach. And, because he doesn't know how to teach, he cancels classes (and blames the students), cuts classes early (and blames the students), and spends class time criticizing student ideas on the things he has not taught. If at all possible, avoid this guy.

Rating # 11

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

An absolute waste of time. He either cancelled our meetings or we argued for an hour on my piece of work, which he never gave a chance in the first place. I took all his advice and junked it and still got a pass from my thesis committee. Do whatever you can to avoid this unpleasant man.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: FILM400
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I've actually taken Axelrod for both English and Film classes. I didn't like his English class at all, but I found his film screenwriting class to actually be enjoyable. He actually is quite helpful and has really good feedback. Still a bit arrogant, but much more comfortable and doable than his English classes.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG420
• 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:

Ugh... Possibly the worst professor I've ever had. Some students like this guys approach, but I have no idea why. He bullies students and belittles any ideas contradicting his own. He likes to start arguments and spend more time doing that than teaching the class. He has a group of students take every class of his and kiss up to him.

Rating # 14

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

i found this class to be tremendously interesting. he's not afraid to say exactly what he thinks, and i appreciate his honesty. i had heard that students didn't like him before taking this class, but i enjoyed the class. he's vague on work, but i learned a lot. i even bought more of fowles' literature for the summer! i would take him again.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG244
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Class wasn't that bad. He's a nice guy, but kind of odd. Take the class seriously and you'll be fine. Nothing but essay tests, so I wouldn't recommend if you aren't too keen on essay writing.

Rating # 16

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

I thouhgt this class would be better than having to read War and Peace but I think I was wrong. I have had Dr. Axlerod in the past but this time around was worse than ever. Class has no direction-just a lot of reading. The most disappointing part is that he actually knows the author and I still feel like I haven't learned anything. Avoid!!

Rating # 17

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

When I read all the bad reviews for this guy I was scared, but he turned out to be fine. Maybe it's because John Folwes is something that he cares a creat deal about, but I liked taking this class, and I had no problem with him. However, the group of students that seem to take all his classes and do nothing but kiss his ass were really annoying.

Rating # 18

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Plays favoritism. Tends to give students that he knows better grades than newcomers. If you take upper division classes with him, make sure you make a good impression and get on his good side. Tends to be very sarcastic and a strict grader.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG499
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Be prepared for a dry sense of humor, but overall is a great teacher. Also be prepared to work...but hey, you're in college. He is a good challenge and worth taking.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG244
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

This guy is the worst! unhelpful, unclear, unkind!! his tests are ridiculous, all he does in class is read from his ridiculous notes which have nothing to do with what we are tested on!! dont take anything with this guy!