Shaobo Xie - University of Calgary

Professor: Shaobo Xie

Department: TBD

College: University of Calgary

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENGL203
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Be prepared to fall asleep. Nothing he says is of value, and good luck since attendance is mandatory. He loves to go on tangents, and lessons are never structured. He expects everyone to participate in class discussions when he is condescending, and especially unhelpful in his critics. The environment is terrible, and dear god the readings.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL201
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I attended all of his classes, hence why I received an A. You dont necessarily have to read every single book, but he does do close readings on every single novel, so attending the daily lectures helped me not have to read as much. He is also extremely nice and grants extensions if you show you deserve it. Clear grading expectations and caring

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENGL387
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

I found Xie to be a very kind, knowledgeable, and understanding professor. His class is fairly easy if you attend all of the lectures and the final examination was a breeze as long as you went to every class. This is my third class with him, and he has made my English degree worthwhile.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG201
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

NOT an easy A but no English class ever is. Isn't very organized and sometimes is difficult to understand but he means well. You have to go to class, he takes attendance for 10% of grade. There's also a 6-8 group project and that sucked. You must read the 5 novels he assigns. He wants you to do well and is always very helpful during office hours.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGL303
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

This is my second class with Dr Xie and it was much better than the first. He's still very disorganized and difficult to understand, but he's very passionate about theory so that made it a bit better. You honestly don't even need to use his notes since they make no sense. Just read the textbook and do well on assignments and you'll be fine.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL378
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Xie is highly knowledgeable and very friendly. His lectures are powerpoint-based and easy to follow. Grading is fair. Only takes attendance once a week (but really, I only showed up for 60% of the class and got an A in participation). Would definitely take a course with Dr. Xie again!

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENGL387
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I found him to be very unclear on everything from lectures to assignments. He marks hard even though you dont know what he wants from you. Hes very friendly and cares about some of his students but can disregard others.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG378
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Xies notes are very scattered, his discussions dont always make sense, and he often contradicts himself (especially in terms of assignment and exam feedback). I would recommend avoiding him if possible. Im an English major and will not be taking another of his classes.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENGL391
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Xie is a warm professor who genuinely cares about his students. Grading is straightforward and fair, and he gives good feedback. Do note, he likes group projects and unfortunately there aren't any peer assessments and he gives you literally 2 minutes on the spot to find group members. Ended up with a terrible group and couldn't change.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL391
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Xie is a very warm, friendly, and considerate prof. He knows his material and relies on the use of theory in a smooth way. You can tell that he really cares about his students and will provide generous extensions. Note, he also has attendance sheets in class and he loves group projects - will make you pick group members on the spot. Worthwhile.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL491
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Incredible man, deserves 5/5 because he really cares about his students and his work. It is not an easy class, but it is easy in the sense that you want to learn his material. His passion for learning and his endless smiling makes his lectures enjoyable. I actually learnt a lot too... I took a lot from his course, and would have him again.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGL491
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I think professor Xie is great! I have taken a few classes with him and really get the impression he cares about his students. He is very knowledgable about postcolonial theory. Lots of assignments, a paper worth 40% but he gives you so much time and will easily give extensions when asked. I didn't find his marking to hard.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENGL491
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Listen carefully and hone your notes.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENGL201
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

It is clear that Dr. Xie is quite passionate about literature as a whole, and while some of his students may not be, he still tries to engage the class through discussion. He doesn't always give one the proper grading criteria, which can be a challenge, however, he is extremely helpful if you visit him during his office hours. A solid professor.

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL491
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Xie is a great prof! I was nervous at first because of his thick accent but it wasn't an issue at all. He is VERY knowledgable about post-colonial theory. Really cares about his students. I'd definitely take another class with him! He takes attendance for a grade and a group pres worth 10% needed to be 35 mins long. No other complaints.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG201
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

best prof ever! even learnt 2 Chinese words in his english class. very cool very handsome very nice i like it :

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENGL391
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

A lot of people might not like him because of his accent or way of talking but I thought he was a great professor. Don't take him if you have a hard time with profs that stumble over their thoughts sometimes. Because even then you really get a feel that he knows all about his subject. Super nice, and marks moderately. Give details last min

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENGL391
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Very passionate about post-colonial literature. Picked very interesting novels, not too long. Doesn't give some assignments until 2 days before the due date, which is frustrating. Has you send in your thesis for final paper two weeks early to give you feedback and gave us the final exam essay question. Group project only worth 10% gives everyone A-

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL203
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

VERY unclear about expectations for assignments and presentations. However, if you go to his office and ask questions, he's usually more helpful. Lets you redo your first paper if you get a C or lower, which is great. He seems to want something specific for the papers, but gives very open ended instructions. Wouldn't take his class again.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGL391
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Very unclear professor. Has a thick accent and horrible penmanship so you can't understand him either way. Grading criteria is unclear and often late. The rubric for the assignment wasn't given until after the assignment was due. He unreasonably expects you to be able to read 200 pages in two hours. Seems unprepared and all over the place.