John Engell - San Jose State University

Professor: John Engell

Department: TBD

College: San Jose State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG117
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I really appreciate that he knew everyones name and cared how they did in the class. I could tell that he was a sincere and open teacher. I learned a lot about California history and probably more than in any history class. as long as you go to class youll learn a lot and not really need to study, other than reading the books all the way through.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH117A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Nice guy with appropriate knowledge of the subject matter. However, confusing tests on minor points from complicated texts, impossible to study for since he doesn't explain possible topics. Test questions don't pertain to any of his rambling and unfocused lectures. No use of technology to enhance learning. Inefficient use of class time.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGL1B
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I found his class wanting, a lesson in slow-minded laziness and p.c. thinking. He was fine if you agreed with him, otherwise useless and unsatisfactory.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG40
• 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:

John Engall taught 19th century American Lit was fantastic..He brought and encyclopaedic knowledge to bear on almost any subject..We study Walt Whitman..and he prefaced Whitman, with the following..All English majors need to come to terms with Walt Whitman..and to this day i thank him for turning me onto Walt Whitman..Great Prof, fun..pithy..

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGL68A
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Engell is a great lecturer and is very interested in teaching. He does have a tendency to talk a little too much about history. He uses the book a lot and be sure to do all the assigned reading because he gives pop quizzes. A somewhat tough grader. I got a B in the class. Make sure you attend class so you can take good notes for the papers.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL203
• Grade Received: N/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:

Excellent teacher who loves teaching! You will enjoy the atmosphere and learning in this class. He makes learning about these books and their authors interesting and fun.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL117
• 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:

Definitely not what I was expecting for a class focused around film and literature but turned out to be a very fulfilling experience! The course is focused around the Vietnamese culture and the Indo-China Conflict. Very in depth at times, emotional (movies, discussions).

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENGL117
• Grade Received: N/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:

He is a great professor. I learned a lot about film and literature. I gained an interest in film because of the class. Be careful to read the directions for the essays several times before writing your essay. The papers must be done according to the directions.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG117
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Engell is very passionate about the Vietnam War and the Vietnamese culture. My interest of the Vietnam War was sparked while in this class. He is a very nice guy and is always willing to answer questions. His reading choices were not bad and were not that long either. He provides helpful advice when returning papers, which I really appreciated.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL117
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

If you excell at regurgitating from rote memory, then you'll do fine. Neither this class nor this professor was my cup of tea. Be forwarned that there are approximately 1100 pages of reading for this class. More than anybody can digest in one semester. Prof. values the ability to recall specific details about obscure parts of reading.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL117
• 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:

this class shows you how the enthusiasm of a professor determines student interest. he made vietnam interesting to me, i think he is a great lecturer. don't like his TA, and the grading is completely arbitrary- i got a better grade for a half-assed essay than for the screenplay i thought was really good. go to lecture, both for interest and tests

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGL117
• 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:

1st test 58%. 2nd test 72%. 1st paper C+. i'm an A student and somehow i am not appealing to his liking. i study hard for tests and still get bad grades. i have talked to 5 others in class and they are dealing with same thing. all about vietnam. DONT TAKE THE CLASS.speaks as if hes a god and his TA isareally hard grader. Films are extremely graphic

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL117
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

There is a lot of reading, a lot of studying, and he is a very hard grader. He says he's not, but he is. Only take him if you are as passionate about the Vietnam War as he is, because that's all the course is about.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL100W
• Grade Received: N/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:

enthusiastic, passionate, caring, VERY clear on requirements and directions. hard grader, but leaves tons of comments on papers. assigns a lot of work, but most are somewhat enjoyable. Take him if you want to learn and be challenged.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL115
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Class can be boring at times, but you learn a lot in the end. WARNING: He is a hard grader when it comes to tests and essays. Be prepared to read A LOT. I think film majors and English majors liked the class the most. However, it supplements your historical knowledge of the Vietnam issues, which is helpful.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENGL117
• Grade Received: N/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:

At first I was intimidated by this professor. He paces, talks loud, and sometimes yells (not at students). This class is focused on film, literature, and the culture of Vietnam. If I didn't attend all the lectures I would have been lost. Prepare to have your papers ripped apart. He said, "your essay is a total mess" and, it was. He is honest.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG117
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I rarely attended lectures and i'm passing the class with a C+ or B-. could've done better; maybe B+ or A-. attending lectures help because they help you on the tests. test questions come from lecture. if you're going to cut, at least attend the lecture before test. watching the films in class help. 1st essay hardest, 2nd essay easy(pick screenplay

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG117
• 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:

He is very enthusiastic about this class. The materials are interesting and the tests are pretty strainght forward. If you show up and listen you will do fine.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL117
• 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:

Great instructor. He's interesting and truly passionate about the subject. However, you may be surprised to find that the "Film, Literature, and Culture" class is entirely about Vietnam. I know I wouldn't have picked this class if I had known, but I think it was worth taking.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG117
• 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 tried to ask him for help a nummerous amount of times and he never had time for me. He has way too may students!! His lectures are interesting and he's very passionate, but extrememly pompous. It really isn't a film class at all. It's an english class and we watch movies.