J. McLaren - Hofstra University

Professor: J. McLaren

Department: TBD

College: Hofstra University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: ENG014F
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Toughest grader I've had in four years at Hofstra. Cool class, cool guy, probably not worth taking though.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: ENGL014F
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I've been praised for my writing all of my life, this has been solidified in all of my previous classes. I love Jazz more than anything and yet somehow I'm failing his class: Jazz Lit. and Film. The last paper I wrote for him I spent three weeks on and got a "D." His only comment made throughout the whole paper: "too vague"

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: 23514
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

It was very boring and I would not recommend taking his class. He is one of those teachers where anywhere can raise their hand and say anything and he will say they are right, yet when writing papers he wants everything to be so clear cut and specific. He expects way too much background knowledge. DONT TAKE IT

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: ENGL070
• Grade Received: A-
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

McLaren wants things done a certain way. Very specific yet tells you EXACTLY what he wants from you. Do the readings and show up to class. Even if you don't do the readings, pick one sentence from the reading and make a comment about it in class. Participate and he'll notice. Really not a hard class at all, just a little boring.

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: ENG070
• 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:

This professor is a control freak. His assignments are unclear, his explanations are so bazaar and confusing. The most knit picky professor ever! The readings are interesting but do not take this class with this professor if you are looking for an easy literature course.

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: ENG014F
• 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:

Very strict, very stringent classes, weird style in teaching, not very helpful. Professor McLaren makes a great class just mediocre. I suggest the class but McLaren's style is not one I enjoyed.

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: JLF01
• 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:

I was shocked to see how low his ratings are! Assigns a lot of reading but it's not unreasonable. As long as you read, participate, and show up you'll do fine! I liked him a lot.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: ENG141
• 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 is the worst professor and person that I've ever met. He refuses to acknowledge any white students, he refuses to accept legitimate excuses, he gives very little guidelines on assignments but if you don't follow instructions to the t you get a failing grade, he treats students with no respect, he refuses to answer any questions during exams

Rating # 9

Overview:

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

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

Comment:

Professor Joseph McLaren is perhaps the most rude, unlikeable person I've ever met. The class, Jazz in lit and film, sounded great, I love jazz. His class is AWFUL. No excuses for absence or tardiness, interrogation-style lectures. And his policy on being sick? I had mono for a month, it was awful, and he docked me 2 letter grades 2 grade points!!!

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: ENGL139
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

The class is boring and methodical. Overall he comes off as snobbish and rude. But if you put in a little extra effort and thought for every assignment you will get an A. Make sure to attend class on time and participate. And he may ask to see your notes. Just show thought and interest in this class to get a good grade.

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: ENGL139
• 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: N/A

Comment:

AVOID AVOID AVOID! The readings are great but he is horrible. Class drags on and hes super strict about attendance. Once you make eye contact with him he never stops picking on you- and even if you don't he call on you at random. His grading policy is unclear and what he wants is even more unclear. The worst professor I've had at Hofstra by FAR!

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: ENG139
• 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:

This really could be a good class. The readings are interesting, but there is LOTS of it. Wastes a lot of time teaching paper styles that all people who have taken composition should know. He spends way too much time on some things and not nearly enough on others. Class is very slow. Strict attendance policy even though his lectures are pointless.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: ENG139
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

I have mixed feelings about this professor. On the one hand the material was extremely interesting and I really enjoyed it. On the other, the way he conducts his class is really slow. He spends alot of time on silly things that as college students you should already know. Maybe the people in my class werent that great. The class couldvebeen awesome

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: ENG141
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

This professor is odd, to say the least. Never directly answers any questions. TONS OF READING. Allows only 4 absenses, takes off points for lateness (and clocks lateness) AND hardly excuses for legit medical absences. He is snooty, stuck up, WEIRD, refuses to have a sense of humor and needs to take the stick out his you know what!

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: ENGL139
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

very weird professor. strict attendance policy. a lot of novels to read and expects u to read within a certain page number by each class. very anal about everything. he could have made the course much more interesting

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: ENG139
• 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:

Dr. McLaren was one of the worst professors I've ever had. His grading policy made no sense whatsoever. His lecturing style was monotonous at best. I learned absolutely nothing from him. Also he seemed to not know any body else's name except for the African American kids. Seems a little strange to me.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: ENG139
• 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:

Very interesting class and material, he is a bit wierd in how he deals with students. If your interested in african literature, you should definitely take. It's insightful

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: ENG139
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 1.5
• Course Difficulty: 2.0

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

Comment:

Material is very interesting, but he goes into NO detailed analysis of it. The class was more of a summary of plot than anything else. Takes an HOUR to explain a very simple concept- takes a minute to explain what he wants for a paper. Tedious, pompous, overdramatic... and frankly, I get the impression he's not that bright. Talks down to students.

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: ENGL139
• 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's a good Prof. If you do the work, you'll breeze through the class. Participation is highly reccommended. I enjoyed the class.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: ENG139
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 3.0

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

Comment:

He's REALLY not that bad. The class was paced much too slowly in my opinion, and he spent time teaching the class how to write a paper-block quoting? I'm an English major, I don't need lessons on how to structure my paper. It's interesting, but it's slow, and he can be a little demanding. He's not a bad prof, but be cautioned.