Michael Given - Stephen F. Austin State University

Professor: Michael Given

Department: TBD

College: Stephen F. Austin State University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG381
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I didnt enjoy him much, there were four things he graded so do your best on all them. Other than that nothing much. I will say that hes very opinionated, and sometimes its like you cant get a pint across but other times hes very open minded.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENG222
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Definitely the worst professor I've had since I've been to SFA. His lectures are boring and he doesn't let his students have their own opinion about the readings- it's his interpretation or you're wrong, which is pretty crappy for an English teacher. I ended up dropping his class when I realized I didn't need this class for my degree.

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: ENG426
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I had taken Given for 131 way back during my freshman year. He is quite dry and you will definitely need to do the work to pass. There are often quizzes for the readings in his class, so you HAVE TO READ. He is easy enough to schedule office hours with and he is good about replying to emails.

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENG131
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

He goes over what you have to read in class, and the exams are super easy and nice. He goes in depth about the stories and he expects you to know terminology which is found at the beginning of the book!!!

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG131
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 1.0

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

Comment:

Literally, you just show up and listen to him lecture. His exams are just terminology and a short answer about any of the stories/poems you read. Plus, you get to choose what your short answer is about as long as you answer the question. Anyways! he is a great choice, trust me!!!

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG381
• Grade Received: WD
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

I am surprised with the positive feedback. I dropped this class and will try to avoid taking anymore of his classes. I am an English major so we all know Given and I never hear good feedback about him. His lectures were excruciating, same two or three points over and over. The readings were so boring and he talked to us like we were children.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: ENG381
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Given is an amazing teacher! He will tell you EXACTLY how he wants his papers formatted so you have the best chance of getting a good grade. He can ramble in his lectors, but he is fun to listen to. You will have to write one paper over a novel & why it should be taught and two shorter essays throughout. Overall excellent teacher & great class!

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG131
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is a tough grader, and does not offer much help when asked. His instructions were pretty clear overall

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Given is a fantastic professor. He is very clear about his expectations, and really knows what he's talking about. The reading assignments are plentiful, but this is an English class so that should be expected. Don't be tardy to class, be ready to discuss the readings, and be abreast on the vocabulary in the pieces you read!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• 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:

Dr. Given is very knowledgeable about the material he covers. You will learn in his class. Don't think he won't notice if you don't do the reading. He gives quizzes over them every day and he will get upset if you don't participate enough.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENG222
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He is incredibly knowledgeable and really pays attention to vocab. KNOW YOUR VOCAB OR HE WILL YELL. Go to every lecture and you'll ace the tests, but if you don't go to class, you'll fail all of them. His voice carries so you won't worry about falling asleep. His lectures are kind of scattered, but he sticks to the schedule on the syllabus.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG222
• Grade Received: A+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Given is a great guy, kinda stubborn but he grows on you. Assigns interesting, easy to read pieces. Show up to class, you'll need to hear his interpretations of the poems/short stories to do well on the tests. There are many opportunities for extra credit. His tests are set up the same way, so it's easy to study. LOOK UP VOCAB YOU DON'T KNOW!

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: 131
• Grade Received: A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I am already a good writer, so I made an A in this class. The problem? I learned nothing in this class. I am writing at the same level leaving the class I was entering. Attendance is mandatory, but he lectures about nothing. There are a lot of peer evaluations, and the only time he sees your paper is when he grades it and gives it back.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG222
• 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:

His tests were formulated, so you know what's coming each time. Plus, he fully explains every thing you read, so just go to class and take good notes and you will do great. Just always make sure you look up definitions of words you don't know in the text, or pop quiz! Don't show up late-you will be kicked out. Arrogant guy, but good professor.

Rating # 15

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Horrible teacher, rambles about nothing, attendance is mandatory but the lecture is excruciating. His test were all structured differently, and without a review i was having to study a different way each time. Not stimulating, just annoying and unnecessary. TAKE ANOTHER TEACHER

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG131
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Did not enjoy his class one bit. he will talk the whole hour about the same 3 or 4 things every single class. you cant ask anything with out him arguing.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG520
• 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:

I took Dr. Given as both an undergrad and a graduate level. He expects you to do your work, but in return he gives you all the help you can ask for. I learned a lot from him.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG319
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

His lectures are interesting, and he expects all students to participate in class discussions. The course material itself wasn't what I expected, though. It was British lit, mostly, but some was nonfiction and all of it was based around the time of WWI and on the war itself.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENG131
• 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:

He agrues with students like a parent fighting with a child.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG222
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

Comes off as somewhat of a prick. I have heard from several fellow students that he has been rude to them also. I have had worse professors. I think that he may be that way in this particular class because it's a lower level class. He gives off the impression that he is disinterested in the students and the material covered.