David Burak - Santa Monica College

Professor: David Burak

Department: TBD

College: Santa Monica College

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Buraks class was very easy and insightful. Each class is run the same way everyday. It was very interesting to hear everybodys personal stories as he allows freedom with what you choose to say. He critiques your speaking and writing skills, and isnt necessarily nice or helpful about it but the low level of difficulty made it worth it.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Attention everyone please listen to this, he is the easiest teacher periodt. Trust me when I say he is so nice, he only gives you 1 assignment a week. A 2 paragraph summary then you read it in class. Class is a breeze, no other assignments besides 2 essays. He is so nice, if you need this class as just a requirement take it 100%.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

If you actually want to advance in English, then Professor Burak isn't for you. But if you just want an easy A, then he's the right choice. Here's how each class goes: he talks about an article he wrote for 20 min., then everyone presents the paragraph they wrote as homework on one of the topics he gave the class before, then gives new topics.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Burak is awesome. The class basically consists of reading an article at the beginning of class and then spending the rest of the class with everyone presenting their poem analysis that was the homework the night before. Prof. has had a super cool life that he tells stories about. Directions are always clear. Easy A!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Goes off on tangents, doesn't use Canvas or write homework on board, speaks quietly and is not a great listener. If you miss class, there is no way to know what homework has been assigned. There is not even any assignments written on the syllabus (which he forgot to hand out on the first day of class).

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENGL1
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Burak is well-intentioned, but too old to be teaching. I had him for a summer course and the class was incredibly dull, consisting mainly of reading articles out loud from the 80s that Burak has written or is mentioned in. If you're not an English major and just want to write whatever you want, take this class.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Caring instructor for his students, he wants you to learn. If you put effort into your work he's a great teacher to have. I would take his English 2 course again

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I took him for Winter. He is a good teacher overall. The HW was reading a poem and presenting an analysis to the class. 2 essays and a final. Thought I was going to get a B since I earned a B- on the first essay. Present hw well, learn from first essay, and show that you are insightful and caring overall. He's hillarious as well.

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Professor Burack is hands down the best English professor! This is my third attempt at English 2 and he made the experience amazing!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG30A
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Burak is a chill professor. I took him for Creative Writing, he gives a daily theme but has no problem if you deviate from it. You can be as abstract as you want. Somehow his classes end up being a therapy session/help group type of environment.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• Grade Received: Not sure yet
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

I cannot tell you in 350 characters how incredible this man is. I've never experienced anything like it. He is one of the most caring, intelligent, kind, thoughtful, respectful, admirable people I could even think up to describe. I know it sounds like I'm describing Jesus lol, but I swear, he is simply AWESOME!!!!!! And hilarious.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENGLISH2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Burak is a former Cornell and Syracuse University professor. He makes each of us explore real world problems in our essays. I love how he gives us multiple options in what we want to write on. Even if you're not a great writer, as long as you present your paper well he'll admire you. He can be hard to approach at times, but his class is interesting

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG11821
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Very cool professor thought this class would be boring but it was straightforward arrive on time, do the h.w. present it and that is it, final is a 8-10 pg essay.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Not as bad as people said. As long as you are respectful and show up on time to class as you should already, he wil like you. But once he does not like you, he will give you a hard time. Friendly & personable. Daily short essays that must be read to class

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENG1873
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great Professor and a very nice and intellectual older man. He's hilarious but no slouch when it comes to Essay's(3 in total) and presentation. Do your HW, Come to class, Participate and you'll learn something plus get an A. Its a bit slow sometimes but the class is entertaining.

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: AAAAENG2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Not a great professor; he teaches the class as if it were for 7th graders...it's that easy. I wouldn't recommend taking this class if you intend to major in English, as you'll be cheated out of a good learning experience. Also, he gets very annoyed when people arrive late to class. Try to find another English 2 class to take. Easy A, though.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Great teacher! I loved going to his class. He loves teaching and really cares for his students and wants them to do well. Big heart GREAT guy. Definitely take him!

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG2
• 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:

Took professor Burak for Winter 2012. Overall a nice guy. 4 essays in total, including the final. Homework is straight and simple, just make sure to note down what the assignment/readings are quickly because he will not repeat himself. I thought I would get a B in his class (due to my essays getting a B+ grade every time) but I ended up with an A.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL2
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Dont eat/drink in class, or show up late bc he will judge you & not grade u as well. Cater to his ego & outside activities w/ him & he will favor you. Make sure u sound smart when you do your reading/paragraphs even if you arent bc he will think you are esp if u throw in some stupid big words he grades based on these write up & how u present yrself

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENGL1
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Easy B, I did well on essays and got an A. Older, mumbles, will critique your grammar but not in a bad way. Every class consisted of reading aloud his articles and then reading a 2-3 paragraph response to one of last week's questions in front of the class. Just read slowly, loud, and clear and you'll be fine. 2 3-page essays and one 10-page essay.