Keith Leonard - American University

Professor: Keith Leonard

Department: TBD

College: American University

Rating # 1

Overview:

• Course: LIT235
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 1.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Leonard made me question my major in AFAM. I am glad I did not let my experience in his class scare me away. He grades incredibly harshly and gives boring lectures. When I took his class, he arrived 15 mins late to the final & didnt apologize. The books we read were interesting and that made some of the downfalls of the course worth it. Sigh.

Rating # 2

Overview:

• Course: LIT235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Leonard will prepare you for all of your future college writing. He is not the professor if you are used to turning in sub-par work and coming out with good grades. But if you want to improve your argumentation skills through his thorough feedback and be enriched by his engaging lectures, he's the one. Plus, his class is a POC safe space

Rating # 3

Overview:

• Course: LIT200
• Grade Received: B
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Dont take this class if you care about your GPA. PERIODT

Rating # 4

Overview:

• Course: LIT235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

He will make you work, which, hey, you know what, is exactly what you're paying for, you wonks. His courses have made me a better writer. Definitely recommend to 1st and 2nd year lit majors, and anyone looking to learn how to write a good paper. That said, yes, do not take him if you're looking to slack off in a random gen ed. Also just a good guy

Rating # 5

Overview:

• Course: LIT235
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Leonard's class was very demanding even though it is considered a gen ed. He assigns paper after paper even if he hasn't given back the last paper. His comments on your papers make it seem as if he thinks everyone in his class is a lit major. His prompts are vague and to get a good grade you have to REALLY go in depth in your essays

Rating # 6

Overview:

• Course: LIT235
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 4.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

The hardest class I have taken at AU. But I learned a LOT! He is a brilliant man, but he expects his students to perform at the same mental capacity he does. While this is a tactic for growth, undergrad students do not have PHDs. We read a lot and you WILL gain so much knowledge on black literature and how to write like a grad student. TOUGH GRADER

Rating # 7

Overview:

• Course: LIT235
• Grade Received: C
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

Prof. Leonard is awesome! Was his class hard? Absolutely. Did I learn more than I ever thought I would? Absolutely. He makes you think and consider things about the world around you that you haven't previously though about. If you decide to, you will be so glad that you took his class! Inspirational and thought-provoking.

Rating # 8

Overview:

• Course: LIT121
• Grade Received: B-
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Dr. Leonard is one of the most arrogant and manipulative professors from whom I have ever had the misfortune of learning. His comments on papers were incredibly over the line and provided no constructive criticism. He essentially did not teach but merely patronized his white students for being white. I am a straight A student and got a B-... Beware

Rating # 9

Overview:

• Course: LIT120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Professor Leonard is very knowledgable and articulate. However, he grades very unfairly and assigns an unrealistic amount of reading. He uses literary and historical jargon that is very confusing. His comments on essays are harsh and unproductive. DO NOT recommend this class if you want an easy Gen ED. C's are common. Worst class I've taken.

Rating # 10

Overview:

• Course: LIT120
• 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:

Professor Leonard is a very (!) harsh grader. The class seemed to hard for a 100-level course. Professor was helpful during office hours and his commetns to papers helped improve my writing. Nevertheless, class meetings were boring, the discussions were forced rather than encouraged. Leonard is intelligent and knowledgeable but a tough grader

Rating # 11

Overview:

• Course: LIT210
• 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: Mandatory

Comment:

Clearly very insightful and knowledgeable about the course material, but an unnecessarily harsh grader and poor discussion facilitator, especially for a survey course. Guidelines for assignments were extremely vague are directionless. There's more to teaching than being intelligent.

Rating # 12

Overview:

• Course: LIT210
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 3.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Very, very tough grading with papers. Interesting, very scholarly lectures. Didn't seem to have fair expectations for survey class. That said, most people in the class didn't even attempt to contribute or engage.

Rating # 13

Overview:

• Course: LIT210
• Grade Received: B+
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

this professor was pretentious and really alienating in and out of class. not helpful in office hours and not very encouraging in class. also a really harsh grader. his comments were harsh and rude on papers.

Rating # 14

Overview:

• Course: LIT120
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 2.5
• Course Difficulty: 4.0

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

Comment:

good professor but there are a few things you should know before taking any of his classes: 1) he is a VERY tough grader and he isn't very clear on what he wants to see in your writing 2) he does not give many opportunities to boost your grade 3) the last month of class turned into an African American studies class

Rating # 15

Overview:

• Course: LIT120
• 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:

One of the best professors I've had. He really had an interest in students learning and always provided constructive feedback. He was definitely a hard grader, but if you really want to improve your writing while reading interesting books, take this class!

Rating # 16

Overview:

• Course: LIT500
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 3.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

I don't mind a difficult grader, but it was his commenting style that turned me off. He was rude and destructive in his feedback, hiding behind his track-changes and leaving nasty remarks that belied his usually congenial personality. I can take a bad grade, but I don't much care for a lack of respect.

Rating # 17

Overview:

• Course: LIT330
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

An engaging and inspiring professor.

Rating # 18

Overview:

• Course: LIT498
• Grade Received: N/A
• Overall Rating: 4.5
• Course Difficulty: 5.0

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

Comment:

Class discussions regarding "the value of literature" were interesting, largely because Prof. Leonard makes a point to facilitate discussion rather than lead it. He's absolutely a hard grader, and the work wasn't spaced out very well - 55% of the final grade was due in one day! But all in all, good class, great guy - even took us out for dinner!

Rating # 19

Overview:

• Course: LIT125
• 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:

Personable, interesting, overall a quality professor, and has progressive views of literature. You should enjoy this class especially if you are a discussion based learner. He gives a lot of assistance on papers but grades them very harshly, not a consistent grader.

Rating # 20

Overview:

• Course: LIT125
• 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 was in the University college for LIT-125 and I am so glad I had him. The ones here who says he's a hard grader, YES HE IS. Do not take him if you want to coast by in a lit class. He's always available for help and answeres emails. He helped me out with my writing ability and he gives a page of comments for your papers to improve. He's FANTASTIC!